How the oral germ Fusobacterium nucleatum makes surface tubes that help it stick and spread
Assembly and function of outer membrane tubules in Fusobacterium nucleatum
This research looks at tiny tube-like structures that Fusobacterium nucleatum uses to attach to tissues and move from the mouth to sites like the gut and placenta, which matters for people with gum disease, preterm birth risk, or colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306013 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using bacterial genetics, advanced electron microscopy, and protein analysis to find and isolate tiny outer membrane tubules made by Fusobacterium nucleatum. They compare normal bacteria to genetically altered strains that cannot form these tubules and study the proteins found in the tubules. The team also uses rodent infection models to see how tubule formation affects the bacterium’s ability to stick to tissues, evade immunity, and spread to other body sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This basic lab and animal research does not recruit patients now, but people with Fusobacterium-associated conditions (for example, periodontal disease, colorectal cancer, or histories of preterm birth) could be relevant for future clinical follow-up or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment for infections or cancer are unlikely to get direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to block the bacterium’s ability to spread or to develop treatments that reduce risks linked to infections, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Microscopy, genetics, and mass spectrometry have successfully revealed important bacterial surface structures in other microbes, but outer membrane tubules in Fusobacterium are newly described and their roles are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ton-That, Hung — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ton-That, Hung
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.