How iron-collecting molecules help bacteria and fungi cause infections
Official title: Mechanism, Structure, and Inhibition of N-Monooxygenases
Funded at Missouri University of Science & Technology · NIH-11349396 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how certain bacteria and fungi steal iron from the human body by making siderophores, with the goal of finding new ways to block infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Missouri University of Science & Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,560 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM164647-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349396 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with infections caused by siderophore-producing pathogens (e.g., Acinetobacter baumannii, Aspergillus fumigatus) could ultimately benefit from therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or patients not affected by siderophore-producing infections may not directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project looks at the enzymes that build and modify siderophores, tiny molecules that grab iron to help pathogens grow. By studying flavin-dependent N-monooxygenases, scientists aim to understand how these enzymes install the chemical groups needed for iron binding. The work includes detailed biochemical and structural analyses of histamine N-monooxygenases from pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii and Aspergillus fumigatus, and efforts to identify inhibitors that could block SidA’s activity. Understanding these mechanisms could guide the design of new drugs to fight antibiotic-resistant infections. The research combines biochemistry, structural biology, and inhibitor screening to map how these enzymes work and how to stop them.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat infections by iron-dependent pathogens.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that targeting iron acquisition systems can reduce pathogen virulence and reveal drug targets in related organisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Rolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sobrado, Pablo — Missouri University of Science & Technology
- Study coordinator: Sobrado, Pablo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.