Understanding how bacteria and body tissues interact in lung diseases like cystic fibrosis
Microbiota and Extracellular Matrix Interactions that Drive Host Tissue Remodeling
This research explores how the body's natural bacteria interact with our tissues, especially in conditions like cystic fibrosis, to better understand how these diseases develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192877 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies are home to many tiny organisms, called the microbiome, which play a role in various health conditions. This project looks closely at how these microbes interact with the "extracellular matrix," which is like the scaffolding that supports all our tissues. We believe that bacteria might directly affect how our tissues change, especially in diseases like cystic fibrosis where tissue remodeling is a big problem. By using special lab models, we aim to uncover these fundamental interactions and see how they alter host cell behavior.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with conditions like cystic fibrosis lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or cervical cancer, where tissue remodeling and microbiome dysfunction are present, are the focus of this foundational research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to the interactions between the microbiome and extracellular matrix may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to understand and potentially treat diseases like cystic fibrosis by targeting the interactions between bacteria and body tissues.
How similar studies have performed: While the importance of the microbiome is known, this research addresses a specific knowledge gap regarding the direct role of microbes in degrading human extracellular matrix and how that impacts host cells.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porras, Ana Maria — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Porras, Ana Maria
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.