Innate Immune Trigger to Boost Bone Infection Defense
Official title: Innate Immune Stimulation through RIG-I Activation for Potent Antibacterial Responses
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-11441932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing a way to wake up the body's own innate immune system to fight stubborn bone infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, aiming to help people with osteomyelitis fight bacteria more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $258,361 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI202294-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus, including those with antibiotic-resistant infections, could be eligible for future trials or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Most patients with non-bone infections or non-Staphylococcus aureus infections may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that is hard to treat with standard antibiotics. By activating RIG-I, a sensor of viral-like signals, the study hopes to enhance the body’s antibacterial responses at the site of bone infection. The research combines in vivo models and cellular studies to understand how host bone cells respond and how this activation could overcome antibiotic resistance. If successful, this approach could lead to new therapeutic strategies that work alongside or beyond conventional antibiotics to clear persistent infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve clearance of bone infections and reduce reliance on prolonged antibiotics or surgical interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies suggest that activating innate immune pathways can boost antibacterial responses, but translation to bone infections is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Morgan Brittany — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Morgan Brittany
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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.