Understanding how a bacterial protein matures to cause disease
Official title: Uncovering the mechanism of virulence factor maturation in Haemophilus influenzae
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11105760 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a specific bacteria that can make COPD worse, and it's trying to understand how a new part of this bacteria works, which could help find better treatments for infections that don't respond to antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AI176709-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105760 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are experiencing exacerbations due to bacterial infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have COPD or are not affected by bacterial infections will likely not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a specific bacterial pathogen, Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), which is known to exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. The study focuses on a newly discovered virulence factor, NTHI1441, and aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind its maturation and function. By utilizing both in vivo and in vitro methods, the research will explore the biochemical properties of proteins involved in the maturation process, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new treatments for patients suffering from COPD exacerbated by antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding bacterial virulence factors, but the specific approach of targeting NTHI1441 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manley, Olivia M — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Manley, Olivia M
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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.