Understanding how Streptococcus pneumoniae spreads and infects hosts
Official title: Characterization of TCS11 in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11018628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a common bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae spreads and causes infections, focusing on a special system that helps it survive and compete in our bodies, with the hope of finding new ways to prevent these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $220,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178084-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly those with respiratory conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by respiratory infections or do not have underlying health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which Streptococcus pneumoniae, a significant human pathogen, transmits and infects new hosts. The focus is on a specific regulatory system, TCS11, which is believed to control the expression of genes involved in transmission and the production of bacteriocins that help the bacteria compete against the natural microbial community in the respiratory tract. By studying how this system operates, researchers aim to uncover critical insights into bacterial behavior in the host environment, which could lead to new strategies for preventing infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding bacterial transmission mechanisms, but the specific focus on TCS11 in Streptococcus pneumoniae is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosch, Jason W. — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rosch, Jason W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating frailty and aging in childhood cancer survivors
This study is looking at childhood cancer survivors to see how they might face health challenges similar to older adults as they grow up, and it aims to find ways to help them stay strong and healthy by exploring treatments that could improve their well-being.
-
Investigating a specific type of leukemia in children caused by genetic changes.
This study is looking at how certain proteins linked to leukemia affect kids and teens with high-risk blood cancers, and the researchers hope to find new ways to treat these conditions by learning more about how the disease works.
-
Accessible, label-free optical imaging to reveal disease signals
A brain-friendly, patient-centered imaging approach aims to uncover hidden disease signals in cells and tissues without labels or dyes.
-
Targeting the SCP4 pathway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Aims to uncover how the SCP4 signaling pathway drives AML and how it could be blocked to help patients.
-
Blocking cancer-causing cMYC tricks after pregnancy changes in the breast
Researchers are testing how pregnancy and aging reshape the breast before cancer risk, using patient-reinformed models to see if it changes how dangerous cMYC signals behave.
-
Targeting aberrant enhancer landscapes in pancreatic cancer
A patient-facing look at a project that aims to understand how pancreatic cancer changes its cell identity and what that means for treatment.
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.