Why some Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria cause worse infections
Population Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence
Researchers are comparing many Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to find bacterial genes that make infections more severe in people who get hospital-associated infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160554 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, doctors and scientists collect Pseudomonas bacteria from infections and read the bacteria's DNA to spot differences between strains. They compare hundreds of genomes and run lab tests to see which genes make a strain more damaging. Some findings may be tested in cells or animal models to confirm their role in causing harm. The work aims to build tools that predict how dangerous a strain is and point to new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients who have a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection or who can provide bacterial samples from their infection, especially hospitalized patients with suspected multidrug-resistant strains.
Not a fit: People without Pseudomonas infections or those needing immediate treatment for an acute illness are unlikely to receive direct, immediate benefit from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors predict which bacterial strains will cause severe disease and identify new targets for antibiotics or other therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior genomic studies have found a few virulence genes in Pseudomonas, but applying large-scale population genomics to uncover many new virulence factors is a newer and expanding approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hauser, Alan R — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Hauser, Alan R
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.