Understanding how Salmonella bacteria inject harmful factors into host cells
Official title: Salmonella type III secretion: substrate targeting and injectisome assembly
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11131602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Salmonella bacteria use special tools to invade our cells and cause illness, with the hope of finding new ways to treat infections caused by these germs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $728,244 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI184395-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131602 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections related to Salmonella, such as gastroenteritis or typhoid fever.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that do not utilize injectisomes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which Salmonella bacteria use a specialized system called injectisomes to deliver virulence factors into host cells. By studying the structure and function of these injectisomes, the research aims to uncover how they contribute to the bacteria's ability to cause disease. The approach involves detailed molecular analysis and experimentation to understand the biogenesis and regulatory mechanisms of these systems. The ultimate goal is to develop new antimicrobial therapies that can effectively combat infections caused by these pathogens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel treatments for infections caused by Salmonella and other similar bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding injectisome mechanisms, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in antimicrobial therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hughes, Kelly T — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Hughes, Kelly T
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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.