Understanding how Chlamydia hides in the body
Chlamydia trachomatis manipulates (PI)CALM to carry on
This project looks at how Chlamydia bacteria hide inside human cells to cause silent infections, especially in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182682 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Chlamydia infections often go unnoticed because the bacteria are very good at hiding inside our cells, leading to serious health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility. This project aims to uncover the clever ways Chlamydia manipulates our cells to stay hidden and avoid our immune system. By understanding these tricks, we hope to find new ways to stop the infection from spreading and causing harm. We are focusing on specific cell pathways that Chlamydia might be using to maintain its "silent" infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit women of childbearing age who are at risk for or have Chlamydia infections.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for an active Chlamydia infection would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat Chlamydia infections by targeting how the bacteria hide in the body.
How similar studies have performed: While the general mechanisms of bacterial infection are well-studied, this specific manipulation by Chlamydia of host cell pathways is a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rucks, Elizabeth Ann — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rucks, Elizabeth Ann
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.