New drug ideas to prevent infection-related preterm birth
Official title: Discovery of Novel Therapeutics for Inflammation Induced Preterm Birth
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11380891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A focused program at Vanderbilt aims to train an independent researcher to develop and test new drug approaches to prevent preterm labor caused by infection or inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $241,549 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD108420-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pregnant individuals at risk for infection-induced preterm labor or those with a history of preterm birth, plus human tissue samples appropriate for ex vivo studies.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients not experiencing infection-related preterm labor or not contributing tissue samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The project blends hands-on lab work with coursework to model gestational tissues outside the body and study how infections trigger early labor. It includes mentorship from experts in obstetrics, neonatology, infectious disease, and pharmacology, plus training in responsible conduct of research and grant writing. The goal is to build the PI’s own independent lab and pursue translational interventions that could prevent infection-driven preterm birth. The work will occur mainly at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, leveraging its resources and collaborations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to prevent preterm birth when infections are involved, potentially reducing infant complications and neonatal care needs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in infection-related preterm birth has shown promise in targeting inflammatory pathways, though this specific translational training and program is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siricilla, Shajila — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Siricilla, Shajila
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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.