Understanding how enzyme inhibitors help pathogens dodge our immune system
Official title: Structure/Function Studies of Enzyme Inhibitors and their Roles in Innate Immune Evasion
Funded at Kansas State University · NIH-11328534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how certain enzymes block the body’s early defense from infections, to understand how people are protected or at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kansas State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhattan, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $409,851 |
| NIH project number | 2R35GM140852-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11328534 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for direct patient participation in this grant; however, future therapies could benefit people with infectious diseases.
✕Less likely to help
This grant does not involve testing therapies in people right now.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the body’s compliment system and neutrophils work together to fight invaders and how some pathogens block these defenses with enzyme inhibitors. It uses protein structures and biochemical reactions to map how these inhibitors stop immune function, which could reveal targets to keep defenses strong. The ultimate goal is to learn how innate immunity fails in some infections and how to counteract it. The work is led by researchers at Kansas State University and focuses on human-relevant immune pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights could lead to new strategies to boost early immune defense against infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that microbial and vector proteins can inhibit host immunity, supporting this line of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Kansas State University
Manhattan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geisbrecht, Brian V — Kansas State University
- Study coordinator: Geisbrecht, Brian V
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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.