Understanding how Legionella pneumophila survives and infects through its secretion system
Official title: Importance and function of highly conserved substrates of the Legionella pneumophila Type II Secretion System for Infection
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10887423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease survive in water and infect people, with the goal of finding better ways to prevent this serious pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AI172194-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10887423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of Legionnaires' disease, particularly those with weakened immune systems or underlying respiratory conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Legionnaires' disease or do not have any respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease, survives in water systems and infects human cells. The focus is on a specific secretion system that allows the bacteria to release proteins essential for its infection process. By studying how these proteins interact with amoebae and human immune cells, the research aims to uncover critical insights that could lead to better prevention strategies for this serious pneumonia. The approach includes advanced techniques like proteomics to identify and analyze the proteins involved in the infection process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for preventing and treating Legionnaires' disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial infections through similar proteomic approaches, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Carlton — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Adams, Carlton
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.