Understanding how special viruses called jumbophages can defeat bacterial defenses
Investigating the mechanisms that make jumbophages impervious to bacterial immune systems
This project explores how certain viruses called bacteriophages can overcome bacterial immune systems, offering new ways to fight antibiotic-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11118954 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Bacteria have developed strong defenses, like CRISPR, to protect themselves from viruses called bacteriophages. However, some bacteriophages, especially a type called jumbophages, have found ways to get around these defenses. This work aims to uncover the clever strategies these jumbophages use to evade bacterial immune systems. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to improve the effectiveness of phage therapies, which are a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics for treating serious infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who might benefit in the future are those suffering from severe bacterial infections that are resistant to current antibiotics, particularly infections caused by pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Not a fit: Patients without bacterial infections or those whose infections respond well to existing antibiotics would not directly benefit from this specific foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective phage therapies for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, offering new hope for patients with "superbug" infections.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of phages against bacteria is a growing field, this specific focus on the unique immune evasion mechanisms of jumbophages represents a novel and less explored area.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bondy-Denomy, Joseph — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Bondy-Denomy, Joseph
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 below.