Investigating how a bacterial enzyme affects infection processes
Official title: Streptococcus pneumoniae HtrA and its target interactions
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11117938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special enzyme in a bacteria that can cause infections, to learn how it works and changes shape when it tries to infect our cells, which could help us find new ways to treat these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,150 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190731-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11117938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of or currently suffering from infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria or those who do not have any bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on a specific enzyme called HtrA found in the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is known to play a role in how the bacteria infects host cells. The researchers aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of this enzyme, particularly how it changes shape and interacts with other molecules during the infection process. By using advanced techniques like NMR and cryo-electron microscopy, they will explore the enzyme's structure and function in detail. This could lead to new insights into bacterial infections and potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of S. pneumoniae HtrA are largely unexplored, similar studies on other bacterial enzymes have shown promising results in understanding infection processes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eisenmesser, Elan Z — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Eisenmesser, Elan Z
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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.