Understanding how bacteria control their infection mechanisms
Official title: Delineation of mechanisms underlying response regulator activation in group A Streptococcus
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11018621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific system in the bacteria that causes strep throat helps it change its behavior in different environments, which could help us understand how it makes people sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,425 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI177931-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by infections caused by group A Streptococcus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the two-component gene regulatory systems in group A Streptococcus, a significant human pathogen. It focuses on how these systems, particularly the CovRS system, regulate gene expression in response to environmental changes. By analyzing the phosphorylation states of the CovR protein, the research aims to uncover how bacteria modulate their virulence factors, which are crucial for their ability to cause disease. The methodology includes advanced techniques like ChIP-seq and RNA-seq to study gene regulation at a molecular level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for combating bacterial infections by targeting their regulatory mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial regulatory systems, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shelburne, Samuel a — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Shelburne, Samuel a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
HIV-related cervical cancer screening and care in LMICs (AVANÇO HAMRC)
A multi-country effort to build sustainable research infrastructure and low-cost cervical cancer screening and treatment methods for women living with HIV in Brazil and Mozambique.
-
HIV-associated cervical cancer care infrastructure in LMICs
A program to build sustainable research infrastructure and bring low-cost cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment to women with HIV in Brazil and Mozambique.
-
HIV-associated cervical cancer screening and care network in LMICs
A multinational program aims to build affordable, practical cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment methods for women living with HIV in Brazil and Mozambique.
-
Mapping HIV-like SIV Reservoirs in the Brain with Advanced PET Imaging
This project develops brain-targeted imaging probes to map SIV reservoirs in the central nervous system of infected macaques, aiming to improve our understanding of how HIV-like viruses hide in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Germline clues to skin-related immune side effects from cancer immunotherapy
This grant looks for genetic clues in people treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors to understand why some develop skin-related immune side effects.
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.