Understanding how C. trachomatis regulates tryptophan production
Official title: Functional relevance of C. trachomatis trp operon polymorphism
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-10802542 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a bacterium called C. trachomatis controls the production of tryptophan, an important building block for proteins, and it’s exploring a new way this regulation happens, which could help us understand how this bacterium behaves and causes infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $564,363 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI173341-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10802542 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals diagnosed with C. trachomatis infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other bacteria or those not infected with C. trachomatis may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the regulation of the trp operon in the bacterium C. trachomatis, focusing on how it controls the production of tryptophan, an essential amino acid. The study explores a newly discovered mechanism called 'trans'-attenuation, which involves a specific repressor that helps manage the expression of genes responsible for tryptophan synthesis. By examining the metabolic pathways and regulatory factors involved, the research aims to clarify how C. trachomatis maintains balance in amino acid production, which could have implications for understanding bacterial behavior and infection processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating infections caused by C. trachomatis by targeting its metabolic processes.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanism of 'trans'-attenuation in C. trachomatis is novel, similar regulatory mechanisms in other bacteria have shown promise in previous studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carabeo, Rey a — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Carabeo, Rey a
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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.