Award
National Institute of General Medical Sciences 5P20GM130456-07
Alam Project
Recipient
University of Kentucky
Award Amount
$262,822.00
Ceiling
$262,822.00
Awarded
May 12, 2026
Identifier
5P20GM130456-07
The Alam Project funded by NIGMS aims to develop inhibitors targeting CadA and Tlp3 to reduce infection and virulence of Campylobacter jejuni, a major bacterial pathogen causing gastrointestinal infections and antibiotic resistance threats.
Description
Campylobacter jejuni is the primary pathogen responsible for bacterial gastrointestinal infections worldwide and is the leading cause of enteric inflammation in the United States, which can further lead to late-onset diseases such as Guillain Barré Syndrome, colorectal cancers, IBD, and IBS. Importantly, C. jejuni has been designated as a serious antibiotic resistance threat by both WHO and CDC. The gut microbial communities affect health and bacterial infection in the intestine. Dysbiotic E. coli enhances C. jejuni infection via lysine decarboxylase (CadA) enzyme and cadaverine metabolite, which promote chemotaxis, motility, antibiotic susceptibility, and toxin production. Cadaverine activates C. jejuni’s Tlp3 receptor, a potential anti-virulent target. The project aims to develop inhibitors targeting CadA and Tlp3 to reduce infection and virulence.