Understanding how a bacterium affects immune responses in scrub typhus
Official title: Multifunctional roles of an Orientia tsutsugamushi nucleomodulin
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10974467 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a germ that causes scrub typhus affects the immune system, focusing on a special protein that helps the germ survive inside our cells, which could help us find new ways to treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | December 10, 2023 |
| Project end | December 9, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AI174656-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974467 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with scrub typhus or are at risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other unrelated infections or conditions that do not involve scrub typhus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, responsible for scrub typhus, modulates the immune responses of infected cells. By focusing on a specific protein called Ank13, which interacts with host cell processes, the study aims to uncover how this bacterium survives and thrives within immune cells. The approach includes analyzing gene expression changes in cells expressing Ank13 and identifying its interactions with host proteins. This could lead to a better understanding of the disease and potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating scrub typhus and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of Ank proteins in scrub typhus are not well-studied, similar approaches in understanding host-pathogen interactions have shown promise in other infectious diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Paige — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Allen, Paige
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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.