How the spiral shape of stomach bacteria helps them live and cause disease
Mechanisms and consequence of helical shape generation in Helicobacter pylori
This project looks at how the corkscrew shape of Helicobacter pylori helps it survive in the stomach and contribute to ulcers and stomach cancer in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299020 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists are examining the bacterial cell wall and the genes that make H. pylori a helical (spiral) shape. They create bacterial mutants with altered shapes and use microscopes and molecular tools to track how the cell wall grows and changes. The team tests how shape affects movement, sticking to surfaces, and the ability to colonize the stomach in laboratory models. Findings will help explain why shape matters for infection and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or previous H. pylori infection, peptic ulcer disease, or those at higher risk for gastric cancer might be eligible for related sample-donation or observational components.
Not a fit: People whose stomach problems are caused by non-bacterial issues or who do not have H. pylori are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat H. pylori infections and reduce ulcers and stomach cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab work has shown that non-helical H. pylori mutants colonize the stomach less well, so this research builds on promising experimental findings.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salama, Nina — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Salama, Nina
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.