Understanding Viruses, Bacteria, and Cell Messengers at a Tiny Level
Single-Particle Analysis of Virus Capsids, Bacteria, and Extracellular Vesicles
This project creates new tiny tools to closely look at individual viruses, bacteria, and cell communication packets to learn more about how they work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092089 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our team is building very small devices that can examine individual viruses, bacteria, and tiny sacs called extracellular vesicles with great detail. These devices help us see how these particles behave one by one, which is important because not all particles act the same way. By tracking these tiny events, we can uncover rare but important actions that might be missed when looking at larger groups. For example, we are watching how virus parts come together and fall apart, and how bacteria grow and age. This detailed view helps us understand how different conditions affect these processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future studies building on these tools could benefit individuals with viral infections, bacterial diseases, or conditions involving cellular communication.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect infections earlier, understand how antibiotics work, and develop better treatments for diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific devices are novel, the general approach of single-particle analysis has shown promise in other areas of biological research.
Where this research is happening
Bloomington, United States
- Trustees of Indiana University — Bloomington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacobson, Stephen C — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Jacobson, Stephen C
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.