Understanding how E. coli causes infections in the vagina
How E. coli Acid Response Mechanisms Breach Colonization Resistance in the Vagina
This research aims to understand how E. coli bacteria overcome the body's natural defenses in the vagina to cause infections, like urinary tract infections.
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-11127531 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to discover how E. coli bacteria manage to survive and thrive in the urogenital area, especially by resisting the natural acidity created by beneficial bacteria. Our team believes that E. coli uses a series of connected ways to protect itself from acid, and that it can even hide inside vaginal cells to become stronger. By studying these processes, we hope to find new ways to prevent or treat common infections caused by E. coli. This work focuses on the type of E. coli that causes most urinary tract infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who experience recurrent E. coli infections, particularly urinary tract infections, could ultimately benefit from this foundational understanding.
Not a fit: Patients whose infections 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 strategies for preventing and treating recurrent E. coli infections, such as urinary tract infections.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds on strong preliminary data and previous discoveries about E. coli's acid resistance, while also exploring a newly identified resistance mechanism.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hadjifrangiskou, Maria — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hadjifrangiskou, Maria
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.