Understanding how dangerous bacteria like anthrax and staph get their nutrients
Pathobiology of heme inducible transporters in Gram positive pathogens
This work aims to find new ways to fight serious infections like antibiotic-resistant staph and anthrax by understanding how these bacteria survive and grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076286 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are exploring how dangerous bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus anthracis (which causes anthrax), sense and respond to their environment, especially how they acquire essential nutrients like heme. These bacteria pose significant threats to public health due to antibiotic resistance and their potential use in bioterrorism. By uncovering the specific systems these bacteria use to adapt and cause infection, we hope to identify new weak points. This understanding could lead to the development of new treatments that target these unique bacterial survival mechanisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications would target individuals suffering from severe Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus anthracis infections.
Not a fit: Patients without infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus anthracis would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications or strategies to treat life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and anthrax.
How similar studies have performed: Research into bacterial stress responses and nutrient acquisition has shown promise in identifying potential drug targets, but this specific approach to heme inducible transporters in these pathogens is exploring novel regulatory factors.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skaar, Eric P — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Skaar, Eric P
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.