Why some Mycobacterium avium strains cause different disease
Parallel phenotyping to dissect genetic determinants of bacterial strain diversity
This project uses a genetic barcoding method to find bacterial genes that make some Mycobacterium avium strains cause worse or harder-to-treat infections in people with MAC disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140343 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will tag hundreds of bacterial samples with molecular barcodes so many different strains can be tested at once in the lab and in mice. The team previously proved this approach in tuberculosis and will now apply it to Mycobacterium avium, a bug that can cause chronic lung infections. By comparing how barcoded strains grow, resist antibiotics, or react to vaccination, they aim to link specific genes to strain behavior. The work uses clinical bacterial isolates and genetic analysis to build maps that could explain why some infections are more severe or treatment-resistant.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections or individuals able to provide bacterial samples from their infection.
Not a fit: People without bacterial infections or with unrelated health conditions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians predict which MAC infections are likely to be harder to treat and guide development of better antibiotics or vaccines.
How similar studies have performed: Related barcoding approaches have revealed strain-specific differences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mouse models, but applying this exact method to MAC is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carey, Allison — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Carey, Allison
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.