Understanding how bacteria manage manganese levels
Bacterial Manganese Homeostasis
This study looks at how a tiny protein called MntS helps the common bacteria E. coli manage manganese, an important nutrient, to stay healthy and avoid problems, which could help us find new ways to treat infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Denison University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Granville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10953876 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of manganese, an essential nutrient for bacteria, in maintaining cellular health and function. It focuses on a small protein called MntS, which helps regulate manganese levels in Escherichia coli, a common bacterium. By studying how MntS interacts with manganese transport proteins, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that bacteria use to balance manganese intake and prevent toxicity. This could provide insights into bacterial survival in host tissues and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with bacterial infections or those interested in understanding bacterial behavior in the human body.
Not a fit: Patients with non-bacterial infections or conditions unrelated to bacterial manganese regulation may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections by targeting manganese homeostasis.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on MntS is novel, research on bacterial nutrient regulation has shown promising results in understanding bacterial behavior and developing treatments.
Where this research is happening
Granville, United States
- Denison University — Granville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waters, Lauren — Denison University
- Study coordinator: Waters, Lauren
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.