Project Grant K99AI199040

Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center a Project Grant totaling $140,910 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period May 29, 2026 through April 30, 2028. This biomedical research award supports investigator-initiated research investigating the molecular mechanisms by which testosterone influences Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis during bloodstream infections (BSIs). The research project applies a multidisciplinary approach integrating molecular biology, biochemistry, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analytical methodologies to elucidate sex-specific differences in infection outcomes and disease severity, with the ultimate objective of informing the development of sex-specific treatment strategies for male patients experiencing worse outcomes from S. aureus BSIs.

The research deliverables under this award include scientific findings addressing the critical knowledge gap regarding the role of testosterone in shaping bacterial behavior within the bloodstream environment. Expected products include peer-reviewed publications, data characterizing how testosterone regulates bacterial pathogenic mechanisms, and mechanistic insights that could open new avenues for therapeutic intervention targeting the quorum-sensing systems regulated by testosterone exposure. These research outcomes are intended to improve clinical outcomes for male patients with S. aureus BSIs, which represent a significant global health threat accounting for over 1.2 million deaths annually worldwide, and contribute to the broader scientific knowledge base on infectious disease pathogenesis.