Understanding how small RNAs affect the virulence of a common bacterial infection.
Official title: Interrogation of the sRNA regulatory network mediating virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Funded at Boston College · NIH-10993661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny molecules in bacteria that help them cause sickness, specifically in children with pneumonia, to find new ways to fight infections and improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $225,525 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI181123-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are at risk for infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria or those who are not within the pediatric age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) in the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major cause of pneumonia and other serious infections in children. By using advanced techniques like affinity purification and RNA sequencing, the researchers aim to identify the mRNA targets of specific sRNAs that contribute to the bacteria's ability to cause disease. The study will involve mouse models to better understand how these interactions affect bacterial behavior during infections. This knowledge could lead to new strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting bacterial gene regulation can be effective in managing antibiotic resistance, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Michelle Margaret — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Michelle Margaret
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.