Using engineered yeast to treat gastrointestinal infections
Official title: Expanding the therapeutic capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11015797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a special type of probiotic yeast that could help treat gut infections caused by bad bacteria, aiming to provide a better option than traditional antibiotics for people dealing with infections like C. difficile.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 25, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $120,866 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AT012651-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients experiencing gastrointestinal infections, particularly those caused by Clostridioides difficile or enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with gastrointestinal infections not caused by the targeted pathogens or those who do not respond to probiotic therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of a specially engineered probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, to deliver targeted therapies for gastrointestinal infections caused by harmful bacteria. The approach focuses on overcoming the challenges of traditional antibiotic treatments, such as antibiotic resistance and negative effects on beneficial gut microbes. By utilizing advanced genetic engineering techniques, the study aims to enhance the yeast's ability to produce and secrete anti-infective proteins directly in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients with infections like Clostridioides difficile and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and effective treatment option for patients suffering from difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using engineered probiotics for therapeutic purposes, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wallace, Miranda — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Wallace, Miranda
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
Advanced Methods & Modeling for Better Patient Care
A funding opportunity focused on developing new modeling methods to improve health care for patients through better data use and analytics.
-
Advanced methods and modeling for health research at Washington University
A health research grant at Washington University funds new modeling methods to support future patient-focused studies.
-
Center for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Surveillance and Pathogenesis
A NIH program will study and monitor emerging viruses from the Midwest U.S. and three Asian sites to understand how they spread and affect people.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
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.