Systems Epigenomics of Persistent Bloodstream Infection
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11350978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national research effort to understand why some bloodstream infections stay in the body despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, with the goal of improving care for people with dangerous infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,309,410 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI172713-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11350978 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans, particularly those who remain bacteremic or fungemic despite standard therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without persistent infections or those whose infection responds promptly to treatment may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates why certain infections in the bloodstream persist even when the pathogen appears susceptible to antibiotics in the lab. Researchers will study the interplay between the pathogen, the patient’s immune system, and antibiotics to identify why clearance fails in the body. The work will use advanced genomic and epigenomic approaches to uncover mechanisms that cause persistence and to point toward better treatment strategies. Outcomes could lead to new therapies or diagnostic tools that help clinicians stop persistent infections sooner. The study will involve collaboration across specialists to translate findings into patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with persistent bloodstream infections could receive more effective treatments, reducing mortality and complications.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work suggests that host-pathogen interactions contribute to persistence, but this project aims to translate those insights into clinical practice with a novel epigenomic approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeaman, Michael R — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yeaman, Michael 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.