Understanding how E. coli's adhesive properties can help create a vaccine for urinary tract infections.
Official title: Optimization of protective antibodies response against bacterial adhesins
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10890155 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a part of E. coli that helps it stick to the bladder and cause urinary tract infections, and it's trying to find out how different shapes of this part can help the body make antibodies to fight off the infection, with the goal of developing a vaccine to prevent these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 18, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $173,664 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178593-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890155 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who frequently suffer from urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by E. coli.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with urinary tract infections caused by other bacteria or those who do not have recurrent infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the major adhesive factor of E. coli, known as FimH, which plays a crucial role in urinary tract infections. The team aims to analyze how different shapes of FimH can trigger the immune system to produce protective antibodies. By studying the dynamic changes in FimH's structure, they hope to identify effective vaccine candidates that can prevent E. coli from adhering to human cells. This work involves detailed functional analysis of antibodies against the various forms of FimH to enhance our understanding of the immune response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a vaccine that effectively prevents urinary tract infections caused by E. coli.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines targeting bacterial adhesins, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sokurenko, Evgeni Veniaminovic — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Sokurenko, Evgeni Veniaminovic
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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.