Understanding how E. coli causes urinary tract infections in women

E. coli virulence gene expression during clinical UTIs in women

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10874496

This study is looking at how E. coli bacteria behave during urinary tract infections in women, both young and older, to find out how they interact with the body and to help develop better treatments for those who often get UTIs.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10874496 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the behavior of E. coli bacteria during urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, focusing on both young and postmenopausal patients. By examining how these bacteria express their genes during infection, the study aims to identify differences in how they interact with the host's body. The research will model the infection process from the initial colonization of the bladder to the development of acute infection, providing insights that could lead to better treatments for recurrent UTIs, especially in older women. The findings may help in understanding how E. coli evades the immune response and causes damage.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include women of all ages, especially those experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections, with a focus on postmenopausal women.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have urinary tract infections or those who are not women may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and prevention strategies for urinary tract infections in women, particularly those who are postmenopausal.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in understanding bacterial behavior in UTIs, but this specific focus on postmenopausal women is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.