Learning about how Chlamydia bacteria grow and change
Official title: Understanding the chlamydial developmental cycle at the single cell level
Funded at University of Idaho · NIH-11176936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how Chlamydia bacteria develop and cause infections, which could help us find new ways to fight diseases like pneumonia, blindness, and heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Idaho NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Moscow, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $187,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180738-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176936 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications would target individuals at risk for or suffering from Chlamydia infections, including those with pneumonia, trachoma, sexually transmitted infections, or atherosclerosis linked to C. pneumoniae.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by Chlamydia infections or related conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Chlamydia bacteria are tiny germs that live inside human cells and cause various health problems. These bacteria go through different stages as they grow and multiply, and understanding these stages is key to stopping them. This project will look closely at how Chlamydia changes from one form to another, which helps it spread and cause illness. By learning more about this process, we hope to discover new ways to prevent or treat infections caused by Chlamydia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for developing treatments or vaccines against Chlamydia infections, potentially preventing conditions like blindness, infertility, and certain heart diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the general life cycle of Chlamydia is known, this project aims to uncover the specific regulatory mechanisms at a single-cell level, which represents a novel and less understood area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Idaho
Moscow, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grieshaber, Scott S — University of Idaho
- Study coordinator: Grieshaber, Scott S
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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.