Optical sequencing to connect bacterial behavior with human gene changes
Optical Sequencing to Link Quantitative Bacterial Phenotypes to Human Mutations
This project uses a new optical sequencing method to find how changes in human genes affect how bacteria grow inside our cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310854 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are affected by infections that can hide inside cells, researchers will use CRISPR to introduce specific human gene changes in lab-grown human cells and then watch how bacteria like Legionella grow. They will apply an optical sequencing approach to measure bacterial behavior quantitatively inside those altered cells and link those behaviors back to particular human mutations. The work is done in the laboratory using cell-based models, imaging, and sequencing rather than treating patients directly. Results could point researchers toward human proteins that help or block bacterial growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of intracellular bacterial infections (for example, Legionella) or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for research would be most relevant to this line of work.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to intracellular bacterial infections or those not able to provide samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify human genes that control intracellular bacterial growth and guide development of new treatments or prevention strategies for infections such as Legionnaires' disease.
How similar studies have performed: CRISPR-based screens have previously found host genes that affect infections, but combining those screens with quantitative optical sequencing of bacterial behavior is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Isberg, Ralph R. — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Isberg, Ralph R.
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.