Understanding How Bacteria and Archaea Stop Making RNA
Prokaryotic Transcription Termination R37GM041376-R01GM041376 - Competitive Renewal Resubmission 1
This research aims to understand how bacteria and archaea, which are tiny organisms, stop making important genetic material, which could help us develop new ways to fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115810 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This grant looks closely at how bacteria like *E. coli* and archaea like *Thermococcus kodakarensis* control a process called transcription termination, which is when they stop creating RNA. Researchers are using advanced imaging techniques, like cryo-electron microscopy, to see the detailed structures of the molecular machinery involved. By understanding these structures and how they work, we can learn more about the fundamental life processes of these microorganisms. This knowledge is crucial because it could reveal new weaknesses in bacteria and archaea that we can target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with bacterial infections or those at risk of such infections could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this foundational knowledge.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to bacterial or archaeal infections would not directly benefit from this specific basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this fundamental understanding could lead to the development of new antibacterial agents or drugs to combat infections caused by these organisms.
How similar studies have performed: While bacterial and archaeal transcription initiation and elongation are well-understood, the termination process is poorly understood, making this a novel and foundational area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Piscataway, United States
- Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. — Piscataway, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ebright, Richard H. — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Ebright, Richard H.
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 below.