Investigating how bacteria damage lung proteins in pneumonia
Official title: The oxidation of heme-carrying proteins in the pathophysiology of pneumococcal disease
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-10990530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae makes people sick with pneumonia, especially in kids and older adults, and it hopes to find new ways to treat and prevent these infections by understanding how the bacteria's byproducts harm lung cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | November 20, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $389,818 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175461-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old and elderly individuals who are at higher risk for pneumococcal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have pneumococcal infections or are not in the targeted age groups may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) causes pneumonia, particularly in children and the elderly. It examines the role of hydrogen peroxide produced by these bacteria and its toxic effects on lung cells. By identifying the molecular mechanisms behind this toxicity, the research aims to uncover new targets for treatment and prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia and related bloodstream infections. The approach includes studying the interaction between bacterial byproducts and host proteins to develop potential therapeutic interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reduce the severity of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial interactions with host cells, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vidal, Jorge Eugenio — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Vidal, Jorge Eugenio
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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.