Improving gut health with engineered proteins to fight infections
Official title: Modulation of host immunity with recombinant peptidoglycan hydrolases
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-10952837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special proteins can help boost your gut's immune system to fight off infections like Clostridium difficile, and it aims to create a new oral treatment that could protect people with gastrointestinal infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $506,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AT012958-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10952837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with compromised immune systems or those who have experienced recurrent gastrointestinal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with healthy immune systems and no history of gastrointestinal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific proteins, known as peptidoglycan hydrolases, can enhance the immune response in the gut to protect against bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Clostridium difficile. The approach involves developing these proteins into oral treatments that can strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce the risk of infections. The research will utilize mouse models to test the effectiveness of these engineered proteins and explore their potential from various beneficial bacteria. If successful, this could lead to new therapies for patients suffering from gastrointestinal infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option for patients at risk of severe gastrointestinal infections, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
How similar studies have gone: While probiotics have shown some promise in similar contexts, the specific approach of using engineered peptidoglycan hydrolases is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hang, Howard C — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Hang, Howard C
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.