Thermoregulatory RNAs: discovering how microbes sense temperature
Official title: Discovery of Thermoregulatory RNAs
Funded at California State University Northridge · NIH-11426423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists will study RNA elements that help bacteria and related organisms sense heat and adapt, with a focus on pathogens and gut microbes, to uncover new targets for fighting infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Northridge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $405,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM165433-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11426423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient enrollment is required for this project; however, findings could eventually inform treatments for infections caused by temperature-regulated pathogens.
✕Less likely to help
People currently living with a condition are not recruited for this basic science project.
What this research studies
This project will look for RNA thermometers in bacteria, phages, chloroplasts, and mitochondria and study how these RNA switches control gene translation in response to temperature. It aims to uncover how temperature changes at the start of infection influence microbial survival and disease, and to engineer better synthetic RNATs for research and future therapies. The work combines discovery, characterization, and practical engineering to understand temperature-regulated gene control in microbes relevant to human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new RNA-based targets for antibiotics and improve our ability to design temperature-responsive tools for biotechnology.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified some RNATs, but discovery in pathogens and gut microbes remains largely unexplored and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University Northridge
Northridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdelsayed, Michael Michael — California State University Northridge
- Study coordinator: Abdelsayed, Michael Michael
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.