Understanding how deadly Leptospira causes disease and adapts in the human body
Official title: Virulence and Adaptation to the Host Environment of Pathogenic Leptospira
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11533813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will study how the bacteria Leptospira causes illness and survives in people to find ways to prevent or treat infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $366,300 |
| NIH project number | 3P01AI168148-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11533813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable in this grant synopsis; related studies would involve people affected by leptospirosis or samples from such patients.
✕Less likely to help
If you do not have leptospirosis or related exposure, this grant's focus may not directly benefit you.
What this research studies
Researchers at UCLA will explore how pathogenic Leptospira bacteria interact with the human body and adapt to our environment. The work uses a collaborative, multi-project approach to uncover the features that make the bacteria harmful and resilient. Findings could point to new targets for treatments or vaccines and guide safer public health strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better prevention and treatment options for leptospirosis.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies of bacterial virulence have shown that host-pathogen interactions can reveal critical weaknesses to target.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haake, David a — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Haake, David 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.