Improving the recovery of syphilis-causing bacteria's genome
Official title: Sensitive Treponema pallidum genome recovery through tiling amplicon sequencing
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10975482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to find the DNA of the syphilis-causing bacteria in samples from patients, which will help doctors better understand and respond to syphilis cases around the world.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $264,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI185726-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with syphilis or those who may have been exposed to the infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have syphilis or are not at risk of exposure to Treponema pallidum may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the methods used to recover the genome of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium responsible for syphilis, from clinical samples. The team will develop a new tiling amplicon sequencing technique that allows for better detection of the bacterium's DNA, which is often present in very low amounts. By optimizing this approach, the researchers aim to improve the accuracy and reliability of genomic epidemiology for syphilis, which is crucial for public health responses. The study will involve testing this method on various clinical specimens collected globally.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better tracking of syphilis outbreaks, ultimately improving patient care and public health strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in genomic recovery techniques for other bacterial pathogens, suggesting potential for this novel approach to yield significant results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greninger, Alexander L — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Greninger, Alexander L
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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.