Understanding Whooping Cough Bacteria to Create Better Vaccines
Structure, function and antigenicity of B. pertussis virulence factors
This work helps us learn more about how the bacteria that cause whooping cough make people sick, so we can develop better ways to protect infants and others from this serious illness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11120966 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, still affects many infants worldwide despite current vaccines. Our goal is to understand how a specific part of the bacteria, called the adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), helps it cause disease. By studying the structure and function of this toxin, we hope to find new targets for future vaccines and treatments. This knowledge is crucial for creating more effective ways to prevent and treat whooping cough, especially in vulnerable populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit infants and individuals susceptible to whooping cough in the future.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a clinical trial for whooping cough would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new and more effective vaccines or treatments for whooping cough, potentially saving lives and reducing severe illness.
How similar studies have performed: While the general features of this toxin are known, this particular approach aims to provide a more detailed molecular understanding, which is largely novel for this specific toxin.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mclellan, Jason Scott — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Mclellan, Jason Scott
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.