Understanding how jumbo phages build their giant protein shells
Official title: Defining the mechanisms governing proteolytic maturation during jumbo phage head assembly
Funded at Rochester Institute of Technology · NIH-11445158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how extremely large bacteriophages assemble their big protective heads to better use phages against drug‑resistant bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rochester Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $539,768 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI197154-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445158 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include patients with drug‑resistant bacterial infections that could benefit from phage therapy, should phage production and characterization translate to clinical use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not involved in phage therapy development or not connected to bacterial infection treatment may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at the steps jumbo phages take to form their large icosahedral heads, focusing on the proteolytic maturation of head proteins. By examining SPN3US and related phages, the team aims to map which proteins are processed and how this shapes assembly. The work combines molecular biology, biochemistry, and virology to reveal essential steps of phage particle formation that could inform future phage therapies. The findings may help optimize phages used to treat resistant bacterial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could improve understanding of how therapeutic phages assemble, potentially leading to more effective phage-based treatments for drug‑resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has demonstrated key roles for phage proteases in head maturation, with growing evidence that detailed assembly knowledge can enhance therapeutic phage design.
Where this research is happening
-
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Julie a. — Rochester Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Julie a.
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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.