Understanding how a brain-eating amoeba moves
Official title: Defining cytoskeletal mechanisms driving cell motility in Naegleria
Funded at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth · NIH-11010387 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, moves and invades brain tissue, which could help us understand its behavior better and find ways to fight it, especially since it causes a serious type of meningitis with no good treatments right now.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Dartmouth, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $224,098 |
| NIH project number | 5R00GM147656-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010387 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of Naegleria fowleri infections, particularly those exposed to warm freshwater environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of Naegleria fowleri infections or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that allow the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, to move and invade brain tissue. By studying the role of actin filaments in cell motility, the research aims to uncover whether the principles of movement observed in animal cells also apply to this pathogen. The approach involves examining how the amoeba uses its cytoskeleton to crawl, which could reveal new insights into its behavior and potential vulnerabilities. This work is crucial as Naegleria fowleri causes a severe form of meningitis with no effective treatments available.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating infections caused by Naegleria fowleri.
How similar studies have gone: While research on actin dynamics in cell motility is well-established, the specific application to Naegleria fowleri is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Velle, Katrina — University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- Study coordinator: Velle, Katrina
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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.