Investigating a pigment produced by a common bacterial pathogen
Official title: Discovery of a pigment produced by Streptococcus pyogenes
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10795105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new pigment made by a germ called Streptococcus pyogenes, which can cause infections, to see how it helps the germ survive tough conditions and fight off our immune system, with the hope of finding new ways to treat these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $230,280 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI172116-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or are at risk of such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other bacteria or those who do not have a history of Streptococcus pyogenes infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on a newly discovered pigment produced by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, which is known to cause various infections in humans. The study aims to understand how this pigment helps the bacteria survive against environmental stressors and immune responses. Researchers will analyze the pigment's composition and structure, identify the genes responsible for its production, and explore its potential effects on bacterial virulence. This work could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating infections caused by this pathogen.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new treatments or vaccines targeting Streptococcus pyogenes infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific discovery of this pigment is novel, similar research approaches have successfully identified new bacterial factors that contribute to virulence in other pathogens.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Federle, Michael J — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Federle, Michael J
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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.