How Staph bacteria attach to the skin
Mechanisms of staphylococcal skin colonization
The team is looking at how Staphylococcus bacteria cling to human skin to help prevent or treat skin infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307029 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study proteins called Aap and SasG that help Staphylococcus species stick to skin cells called corneocytes. They will observe how these proteins mediate initial attachment and how bacteria accumulate between cells using lab assays and high-resolution imaging. The project will identify which skin molecules the bacterial lectin domains bind to and test SasG-dependent mechanisms in S. aureus strains. This work aims to reveal steps that could be blocked or harnessed to keep harmful staph off the skin or promote helpful staph.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who experience recurrent Staphylococcus skin infections or who are willing to donate small skin samples would be most relevant for future participation.
Not a fit: People with skin issues caused by non‑staphylococcal organisms or those with deep or bloodstream staph infections may not get direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat staph skin infections by blocking bacterial attachment or encouraging protective skin bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have identified Aap and SasG as factors that help staph stick to skin, but turning that knowledge into clinical treatments is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fey, Paul D — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fey, Paul 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.