Investigating how bacteria break down fungal cell walls
Official title: Characterization of bacterial enzymes that depolymerize fungal cell wall polysaccharides
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11103200 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific bacterium can help break down the tough walls of fungi, which could lead to new treatments for people dealing with stubborn fungal infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $317,273 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM147142-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103200 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from fungal infections, particularly those that are resistant to current antifungal treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-fungal infections or those who do not have any fungal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain bacteria can degrade the cell walls of fungi, which is crucial for developing new treatments for fungal infections. The project aims to identify and characterize the enzymes produced by the bacterium Cellvibrio japonicus that are responsible for breaking down fungal cell wall components like glucan and chitin. By using advanced techniques to analyze these processes, the researchers hope to fill the knowledge gap that currently limits the development of effective antifungal therapies. This could lead to new treatment options for patients suffering from resistant fungal infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antifungal therapies that are more effective against resistant fungal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using bacterial enzymes to combat fungal infections, indicating that this approach could be a viable alternative to traditional antifungal therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gardner, Jeffrey — University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Study coordinator: Gardner, Jeffrey
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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.