Understanding how S. aureus causes bone infections
Official title: Differential Inflammasome Regulation in the pathogenesis of S. aureus osteomyelitis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10899448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus causes a painful bone infection known as osteomyelitis, and it aims to understand how our immune system reacts to these infections in the bones, especially when the bacteria are hard to treat with antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $678,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI161022-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with osteomyelitis, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with osteomyelitis caused by non-bacterial factors or other pathogens may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus leads to osteomyelitis, a painful bone infection. It focuses on the interactions between the bacteria and the body's immune cells, particularly in the unique environment of bone tissue. By examining how the immune system responds to these infections, the research aims to uncover why some infections become chronic or difficult to treat, especially in cases where the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from osteomyelitis caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding bacterial infections and immune responses, but this specific focus on bone infections is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veis, Deborah J — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Veis, Deborah J
Related research
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This grant uses patient data from many centers to understand how well current treatments work for chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis in children and young adults.
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This grant studies why some bone infections keep coming back even with strong antibiotics, with the goal of making treatments work better for people with osteomyelitis.
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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.