Understanding a Brucella gene pathway that drives disease
Official title: Characterizing an alternative genetic pathway critical for the virulence of Brucella
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11373130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a specific Brucella gene pathway to see how it helps the bacteria survive inside immune cells and cause disease in animals and people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,560 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI185249-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Humans at risk of brucellosis or researchers developing vaccines or therapies could benefit from the knowledge gained.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; this is preclinical research in bacteria and animal models.
What this research studies
This project focuses on Brucella bacteria, which can infect animals and humans. It aims to identify genetic pathways, including a regulator called VtlR, that enable Brucella to live inside macrophages and cause disease. The team will explore how these genes affect virulence and bacterial survival, using the bacterial model in lab settings. Findings could inform how to prevent relapse after antibiotic therapy and guide future vaccine or therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of Brucella biology may lead to new strategies to prevent infection and reduce relapse after treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed a known regulator is important for Brucella virulence, with partial effects observed; the proposed work seeks to extend these findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caswell, Clayton C — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Caswell, Clayton C
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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.