Understanding how Bordetella bacteria cause whooping cough
Cooperative roles of FHA and ACT in Bordetella virulence
This study is looking at how the whooping cough bacteria can stick to our cells and avoid our immune system, which will help scientists create better vaccines to protect babies and others from getting sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10995302 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium responsible for whooping cough, causes infection and disease. It focuses on the roles of specific virulence factors, particularly filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), in the bacteria's ability to adhere to host cells and evade the immune response. By using animal models, the research aims to uncover how these factors contribute to the persistence of the bacteria in the body, which is crucial for developing new vaccines that can prevent both infection and transmission, especially in vulnerable populations like infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults who have been vaccinated against whooping cough but may still be at risk of infection.
Not a fit: Patients who have not been vaccinated against whooping cough or those who are not at risk of infection may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective vaccines that not only prevent whooping cough but also stop the spread of the bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding Bordetella's virulence factors, but this specific approach to developing a new vaccine is innovative and not yet fully tested.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cotter, Peggy a — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Cotter, Peggy a
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.