Understanding How Bacteria Cause Urinary Tract Infections
Mechanism of the Usher in Assembly and Secretion of Pili
This project helps us understand how bacteria that cause urinary tract infections stick to our bodies, which could lead to new ways to fight these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092819 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are learning how certain bacteria, like those causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), build tiny hair-like structures called pili. These pili act like sticky fingers, helping the bacteria attach to the bladder and kidneys, which is how they cause infection. By understanding the specific steps these bacteria take to create and use pili, we hope to find new ways to stop them from causing disease. This knowledge is especially important as antibiotic resistance becomes a bigger problem, making it harder to treat UTIs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who frequently experience urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by E. coli, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this basic understanding.
Not a fit: Patients with infections not caused by Gram-negative bacteria or those unrelated to pilus-mediated attachment may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for urinary tract infections, especially those resistant to current antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: While the chaperone-usher pathway is a known mechanism, this project aims to deepen our understanding of its specific steps, building upon existing knowledge in bacterial pathogenesis.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thanassi, David G — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Thanassi, David G
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.