Understanding how Salmonella bacteria regulate their infection process
Official title: Novel sRNA-mediated regulation of Rho action at a 3' untranslated region to affect mRNA stability
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11038890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of bacteria called Salmonella Typhimurium manages to invade our intestines, which can cause serious stomach infections, and it aims to find new ways to prevent or treat these infections by understanding how the bacteria's genes work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | January 17, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $219,122 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI188152-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11038890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of Salmonella infections, such as those with compromised immune systems or those in close contact with contaminated food sources.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by bacterial infections or who have no risk factors for Salmonella will likely not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria control their ability to invade the intestinal lining, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal infections. The focus is on a specific part of the bacteria's genetic material, known as the 3' untranslated region, which plays a crucial role in regulating the stability of mRNA, the molecule that carries genetic information. By exploring the interactions between various regulatory signals and the mRNA, the researchers aim to uncover new insights into bacterial behavior and infection mechanisms. This could lead to better strategies for preventing or treating infections caused by this pathogen.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments or preventive measures for infections caused by Salmonella, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding bacterial regulation mechanisms, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slauch, James M. — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Slauch, James M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Counterfactual explanations for AI-assisted cancer diagnosis and subtyping
A cancer-diagnosis AI tool will be made easier to understand by showing counterfactual explanations that reveal how changing histopathology images could change the model’s prediction.
-
A 3D ultrasound scanner to see early chemotherapy response in breast cancer
A new 3D ultrasound imaging method will be tested to see if it can quickly show whether breast cancer is responding to chemotherapy.
-
Upgrading automated antimicrobial testing equipment to support animal health surveillance
A university veterinary lab is upgrading its automatic system to read and incubate samples so it can continue tracking antibiotic resistance in animals and pet foods.
-
Hybridization capture sequencing to quickly identify canine urinary pathogens and resistance genes
A new sequencing approach directly from dog urine aims to rapidly identify bacteria causing urinary infections and their drug-resistance profiles to guide treatment.
-
Wearable biofeedback device to help swallowing after neurologic injury
This project helps people with swallowing problems from neurologic conditions use a small wearable sensor that shows neck muscle activity to guide exercises and improve swallowing.
-
Phthalate exposure and aging of the female reproductive system
This project looks at how certain plastics chemicals may speed up aging of the female reproductive system and affect fertility and health.
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.