Understanding how a bacterium adapts to iron in the gut and affects infections
Official title: The molecular basis of ferrosome organelle biogenesis and its impact on host-microbe interactions
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10947268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria that cause serious gut infections, called Clostridioides difficile, handle iron in the body, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat these infections for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $502,500 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AI184552-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have experienced recurrent C. difficile infections or are at high risk for such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other bacteria or those who do not have a history of C. difficile infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Clostridioides difficile, a bacterium responsible for severe intestinal infections, manages iron levels in the gut. The study focuses on the biogenesis of specialized organelles called ferrosomes that store iron and help the bacteria survive during infections. By examining the mechanisms of iron homeostasis and the role of these organelles, the research aims to uncover new strategies for treating infections caused by this bacterium. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to alternative therapies for C. difficile infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients suffering from C. difficile infections, potentially reducing recurrence rates and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding bacterial iron metabolism and its implications for infection treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pi, Hualiang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Pi, Hualiang
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.