Understanding how certain bacteria inject proteins into host cells
Official title: Structure and Function of the Salmonella type III secretion sorting platform
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11101642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how harmful bacteria send proteins into our cells, which helps them cause infections, and by understanding this process better, we hope to find new ways to fight these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $531,245 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI189569-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, such as those caused by Salmonella or Bordetella pertussis, would be ideal candidates to benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-gram-negative bacteria or those unrelated to the mechanisms studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the structure and function of a specialized system used by pathogenic bacteria to inject proteins into human cells. By using advanced techniques like super-resolution microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy, the team aims to uncover how these bacteria select and transport their effector proteins. This knowledge could lead to new strategies for combating bacterial infections by targeting the mechanisms these pathogens use to manipulate host cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments or preventive measures against infections caused by pathogenic bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding bacterial secretion systems, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lara-Tejero, Maria — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Lara-Tejero, Maria
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Community Health Worker–Led Hypertension Prevention and Control in Nepal
A community health worker–driven approach in Nepal aims to prevent and control high blood pressure among adults by bringing education and care directly to communities and homes.
-
Community health worker-led hypertension prevention and control in Nepal
A community health worker–led program in Nepal aims to help adults prevent and better control high blood pressure through home visits, education, and ongoing support.
-
Adapting a mobile health tool to boost HIV outcomes for older adults with HIV in Ukraine
A mobile health platform called PositiveLinks would be adapted for older adults with HIV in Ukraine to help them stay engaged in care and improve treatment success.
-
Behavioral and neural links between spoken language sounds and written words in young children
This grant studies how young children learn from listening and reading to improve literacy, by looking at how sound patterns transfer to written language.
-
Understanding how autoimmunity causes myasthenia gravis
This project looks at why the immune system attacks the nerve-muscle connection in myasthenia gravis and how different patient groups are affected.
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.