Molecular mechanisms of Shiga toxin–induced cell death in children
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of Shiga toxin-mediated cell death
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11572341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how Shiga toxin damages cells and causes disease, with a focus on late-stage cell death processes that could affect kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $616,782 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI201506-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children or pediatric models exposed to Shiga toxin–related infections or analogous cellular models representing pediatric responses.
✕Less likely to help
Adults or non-toxin-related diseases may not directly benefit from this specific mechanism-focused research.
What this research studies
The project aims to map the molecular signals that Shiga toxin uses to kill cells, including apoptosis and related pathways. Researchers will study how toxin binding, intracellular signals, and downstream enzymes drive cell death in relevant models. The work seeks to clarify how different death pathways contribute to illness, which could guide future therapies. Results could help identify targets to reduce tissue damage in children affected by Shiga toxin-producing infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform new treatments that limit toxin-induced cell death in patients, potentially reducing severe disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked Shiga toxin–induced cell death to multiple death pathways, but a detailed mechanism map in pediatric contexts remains incomplete.
Where this research is happening
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University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kailasan Vanaja, Sivapriya — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Kailasan Vanaja, Sivapriya
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.