Unique bacterial weapon that shapes health and disease in the gut
Official title: Examining a Unique Contractile Injection System Mediating Host-Microbe Interactions
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-11334350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is studying a newly found bacterial injection system in gut bacteria to understand how it may promote health or trigger diseases like obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $372,917 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146722-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11334350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or without metabolic or inflammatory bowel conditions who contribute human microbiome samples or data may be suitable for future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
People not connected to microbiome-related conditions may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic work.
What this research studies
This project looks at a special contractile injection system produced by gut bacteria and how it affects human health. Researchers will identify the molecules these bacteria inject into host cells and figure out how they influence body processes related to obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. The work uses advanced imaging and molecular tools to study interactions between bacteria and human cells. Findings could point to new ways to modulate the microbiome to support health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal targets to modulate the microbiome and potentially improve treatments for obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown microbiome products can influence host health, but this is a novel contractile injection system specific to human-associated bacteria.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shikuma, Nicholas J — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Shikuma, Nicholas J
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.