Understanding how E. coli bacteria cause urinary tract infections in women
E. coli virulence gene expression during clinical UTIs in women
This project aims to understand how E. coli bacteria cause urinary tract infections in both young and older women, especially those with recurring infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127612 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to learn more about how E. coli bacteria cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. We will look closely at the genes these bacteria use to cause infection in young women and compare this to how they act in postmenopausal women, who often experience recurrent UTIs. By understanding these differences, we hope to discover how the bacteria grow quickly, avoid the body's defenses, and lead to illness. Our goal is to uncover the specific ways E. coli colonizes the urinary tract and causes harm.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for women who experience urinary tract infections, especially young women with uncomplicated UTIs and postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs.
Not a fit: Patients whose UTIs are caused by bacteria other than E. coli may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent and treat urinary tract infections, particularly recurrent UTIs in older women.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have begun to identify the gene activity of E. coli during UTIs in young women, and this work builds upon those findings while extending them to an older population.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Mark T. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Mark T.
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.