Using iron to fight harmful bacteria in the gut
Official title: Harnessing iron acquisition to hinder enterobacterial pathogenesis
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11011437 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to fight infections from bad bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella by blocking how they get iron, which could help improve treatments for people, especially those with digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $635,769 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176390-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011437 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from infections caused by E. coli or Salmonella, particularly those with conditions like Crohn's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria other than E. coli or Salmonella may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new strategies to combat infections caused by harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli and Salmonella. By targeting the way these bacteria acquire iron, the researchers aim to inhibit their growth in the gastrointestinal tract. The approach involves using siderophores, which are molecules that help bacteria obtain iron, to create immunization and antibiotic delivery methods. This could lead to better treatments for infections that affect various patient populations, including those with inflammatory bowel disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that reduce the incidence and severity of bacterial infections in the gut.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting bacterial iron acquisition as a method to combat infections, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raffatellu, Manuela — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Raffatellu, Manuela
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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.