Understanding how gonorrhea bacteria colonize immune cells
Official title: Mechanism of macrophages colonization in gonorrhea
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11090560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria that cause gonorrhea manage to hide from our immune system by living inside certain immune cells, and it aims to help us understand how this happens so we can better tackle the infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $365,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179608-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with gonorrhea, especially those with antibiotic-resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have gonorrhea or are not infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonize macrophages, which are immune cells, during gonorrhea infections. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms by which these bacteria evade the immune response and establish themselves within these cells. By examining the interactions between the bacteria and the immune system, the research seeks to identify specific host receptors and bacterial components involved in this colonization process. The findings could provide insights into how gonorrhea develops and persists in the human body.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating or preventing gonorrhea, particularly in cases involving antibiotic-resistant strains.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial colonization mechanisms, but this specific approach to studying Neisseria gonorrhoeae in macrophages is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dragoi, Ana-Maria — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Dragoi, Ana-Maria
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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.