Salmonella inside gut cells: uncovering bacterial genes that help it live in the intestines and gallbladder
Official title: Salmonella cytosolic adaptation in the gastrointestinal epithelium
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11439431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small early-stage NIH grant aims to find specific Salmonella genes that let the bacteria live inside gut and gallbladder cells, which could inform future ways to prevent or treat infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $245,725 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI202009-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11439431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Salmonella infections or those at risk of exposure, though the study uses lab models rather than enrolling patients directly.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to gut or gallbladder tissue models may not benefit directly from this basic research.
What this research studies
This project will use a library of Salmonella mutants to identify which bacterial genes are needed for staying inside gut and gallbladder epithelial cells. Researchers will test these mutants in organoid models that mimic the lining of the colon, helping them map how the bacteria colonize these tissues. The findings could point to new targets for therapies or vaccines to reduce severe illness from Salmonella infections. The study is exploratory and aims to build foundational knowledge about how the bacteria persist in human-relevant cell environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to strategies to prevent Salmonella from invading gut cells or to new treatments that limit infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that intracellular Salmonella can occupy different cellular niches, supporting the relevance of studying cytosolic persistence.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knodler, Leigh — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Knodler, Leigh
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.