Understanding how disease-causing fungi control their genes
Translational control of gene expression in fungi
This project aims to understand how disease-causing fungi, like those that cause serious infections, control their genes to grow and thrive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136509 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies can be affected by fungi that cause infections, and this project looks closely at how these fungi manage their internal processes. We are exploring tiny genetic instructions, called uORFs, within fungal cells that act like switches to turn genes on or off. By understanding how these switches work, especially how they respond to different conditions, we hope to learn more about how fungi survive and cause illness. This knowledge could help us find new ways to stop these infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with severe fungal infections caused by organisms like Aspergillus or Cryptococcus could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this foundational knowledge.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to fungal infections would not directly benefit from this specific basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for developing medications to treat serious fungal infections in humans.
How similar studies have performed: While some regulatory peptides are known, this project focuses on a newly discovered peptide and aims to fill significant gaps in understanding how these mechanisms control gene expression in fungi.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sachs, Matthew Steven — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Sachs, Matthew Steven
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.