New bacterial pathway that helps cause bladder infections
A Novel Metabolic Pathway Regulates Urinary Tract Infections in the Bladder
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11380497
Researchers are exploring how bacteria steal nutrients in the bladder and how the body fights them to help people with urinary tract infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11380497 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists will look at how bacteria get the iron they need from urine and bladder cells, focusing on molecules called siderophores and bacterial heme transporters. They will study the bladder and kidney lining’s production of a defensive protein (NGAL) that captures bacterial iron carriers and stops bacterial growth. The team will use laboratory bacterial models, tissue and cell studies, and likely animal or human-derived samples to map these pathways. The aim is to find new targets to stop bacteria from thriving in the urinary tract.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have frequent, recurrent, or complicated bacterial urinary tract infections would be the most relevant candidates for participation or future therapies.
Not a fit: People without bacterial UTIs or those with non-bacterial urinary conditions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat urinary tract infections by blocking bacterial iron uptake.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown NGAL can trap bacterial siderophores and limit infection, while targeting bacterial heme uptake is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BARASCH, JONATHAN M. — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: BARASCH, JONATHAN M.
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 below.