How Shigella builds and turns on its infection needle
Characterization of assembly and activation of the Shigella type III secretion injectisome
Researchers are looking at the structure and activation of Shigella’s needle-like machinery to help people—especially children—who get severe Shigella diarrhea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129644 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists will take ultra-detailed 3D images of the bacterial 'needle' and the internal parts that power it to see how they are put together and switched on. They will combine these images with lab-based biochemical and molecular tests of the individual parts to understand how pieces assemble and move. The team will also try to visualize how the bacterial needle meets and penetrates host cell membranes. This work focuses on Shigella, a common cause of severe diarrhea and childhood illness, and aims to point to weaknesses that future treatments or vaccines could target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients directly, but children under 11 and people who suffer repeated or severe Shigella diarrhea are the population most likely to benefit from future clinical follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People with diarrhea from non-bacterial causes or health issues unrelated to Shigella are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal vulnerable parts of Shigella’s infection machinery that lead to new drugs or vaccines to prevent or lessen severe diarrheal disease.
How similar studies have performed: High-resolution imaging and biochemical work on bacterial secretion systems have clarified mechanisms in other pathogens, though turning those findings into treatments usually takes additional research.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Picking, William D. — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Picking, William D.
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 below.