Understanding how C. difficile changes its colony shape
Official title: Determinants of Clostridioides difficile colony dimorphism
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11127735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the different shapes of the bacteria that cause serious gut infections, to find out which genes influence these shapes and how they might affect the bacteria's ability to spread and cause illness, with the hope of finding better ways to fight these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 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 start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI186221-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other bacteria or those who have not taken antibiotics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the different colony shapes of the bacteria Clostridioides difficile, which can cause severe intestinal infections. The study aims to identify the genes responsible for these colony forms and how they affect the bacteria's ability to move, form biofilms, and cause disease. By using various laboratory techniques, researchers will explore the relationship between the colony morphology and the bacteria's virulence. This could lead to a better understanding of how to combat infections caused by C. difficile.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating infections caused by C. difficile.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding bacterial morphology can lead to significant advancements in treatment strategies, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tamayo, Rita — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Tamayo, Rita
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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.