Understanding how copper affects staph bacteria to fight infections
Official title: Cytosolic copper ion accumulation and proteome integrity.
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11454715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how copper ions change the proteins inside Staphylococcus aureus to find new ways to treat resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,889 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI197150-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections or those at high risk for such infections could benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without Staphylococcus aureus infections or related risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific basic science study.
What this research studies
This project looks at why copper ions can harm Staphylococcus aureus, a key cause of hospital and community infections, by jumbling its proteins and weakening the bacteria. Researchers will use lab tests to see how copper blocks the bacteria’s protective mechanisms and how misfolded proteins accumulate. The goal is to identify new targets for turning copper into an effective antimicrobial strategy and to explore possible new treatments or uses of existing ones. The work could lead to therapies that help reduce antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new antimicrobial strategies that help treat stubborn Staphylococcus aureus infections and reduce resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests metal ions can disrupt bacterial proteins, supporting the plausibility of this approach, though translation to new therapies remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boyd, Jeff M — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Boyd, Jeff M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Causes and consequences of intra-genomic coevolution
Scientists are studying how repetitive DNA in human cells interacts with proteins to impact genome health, fertility, and cellular functions.
-
How BRAF changes spark serrated colon cancer, from stem cells
This project studies how a BRAF mutation affects colon stem cells to understand what triggers serrated colon cancer.
-
Sensory guidance of how diet affects healthy aging
Researchers will study how the way we experience food and our senses influence aging, using fruit-fly models to mirror human dietary choices.
-
Non-Invasive AI-Enhanced Neonatal Blood Pressure Monitoring in NICUs
A new AI-powered system uses the baby’s existing sensors to continuously track blood pressure in the NICU without invasive procedures, helping clinicians spot problems early.
-
How the brain drives overeating and weight loss with GLP-1 medications
Scientists are studying how brain circuits that control food seeking respond to obesity and weight loss with a GLP-1 drug, to understand why weight loss often doesn’t hold.
-
Energetic cost of walking and mitochondrial function in aging and Alzheimer’s
This study looks at how the energy needed for walking relates to brain aging and Alzheimer’s risk in older adults.
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.