Understanding how bacteria remember and respond to infections
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of memory formation and tolerance in CRISPR-Cas systems
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11288371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how some tiny organisms, like bacteria, protect themselves from viruses using a special system called CRISPR, and it's especially looking at a less common type to understand how they remember past invaders and fight them off better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM148720-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11288371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions that could be treated using CRISPR technology, such as genetic disorders or certain types of cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to genetic modifications or those not involving bacterial infections may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms behind how certain bacteria and archaea develop immunity against viruses and plasmids using CRISPR-Cas systems. It focuses on a specific type of CRISPR system, known as type III-A, which is less studied compared to others. The researchers aim to uncover how these organisms acquire genetic memories from invaders and how this process influences their immune responses. By analyzing the genetic sequences involved, the study seeks to provide insights into the fundamental workings of bacterial immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to advancements in genetic engineering and therapies that utilize CRISPR technology for treating various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding CRISPR systems, but the specific focus on type III-A systems is relatively novel and less explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aviram, Naama — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Aviram, Naama
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understand how skeletal muscle nuclei specialize and arrange themselves for proper muscle function
A study to uncover how the hundreds of nuclei in skeletal muscle fibers acquire different roles and positions to keep muscles strong and healthy.
-
Genomic profiling and outcomes of cancers in World Trade Center-exposed survivors and responders
This project looks at the genetic makeup and real-world cancer outcomes in people exposed to the World Trade Center disaster to understand how their cancers behave and respond to treatments.
-
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Mexican Patients with Advanced Cancer
A cancer center in Mexico will test a culturally adapted therapy to help Mexican patients with advanced cancer find meaning, peace, and purpose at the end of life.
-
High-specificity genome-scale cell-surface proteomics to find tumor targets
A cancer research project is trying to map all the proteins on the surface of ultra-rare sarcoma cells to find safe, targeted ways to treat them.
-
Priorities for testing and choosing combination therapies in rhabdoid tumors to guide clinical trials
A coordinated, multi-site effort will rigorously test promising drug combinations in rhabdoid tumors to identify the most promising options for future patient trials.
-
ecDNA in Cancer: Understanding and targeting circular DNA that drives tumor growth
A cancer-focused project to understand how extrachromosomal DNA helps tumors grow and resist treatment, and to develop new ways to target these mechanisms.
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.