Identifying where harmful bacteria hide in Illinois
Official title: Identifying the reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria in Illinois
Funded at Illinois Institute of Technology · NIH-11418706 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to map where dangerous bacteria live in the environment in Illinois so we can stop them from getting into food.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illinois Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $79,142 |
| NIH project number | 5U19FD008594-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418706 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable (environmental study; not a patient-facing trial)
✕Less likely to help
There are no direct interventions for patients in this study.
What this research studies
Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology will use high-throughput sequencing to study environmental samples for pathogenic bacteria and pair this with whole-genome sequencing of the bacteria found. The project builds a large, data-driven effort that links environmental reservoirs to foodborne illness risks. If successful, it could help public health teams target contamination sources and improve food safety in the region.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of environmental sources of pathogens could lead to safer foods and fewer illness-causing outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous large-scale sequencing efforts have advanced our understanding of pathogen spread, though this project focuses on environmental reservoirs in Illinois.
Where this research is happening
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Imanian, Behzad — Illinois Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Imanian, Behzad
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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.