Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $596,318 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective February 10, 2026 through January 31, 2031. This award supports research aimed at defining virulence factor functions in non-typhoidal Salmonella typhimurium using minimal pathogen genomes. The research employs genetically engineered bacterial strains to eliminate redundancy in the complex SPI-2 (Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-2) effector gene repertoire, enabling investigators to identify how a focused network of Type III Secretion System (T3SS) effector proteins coordinate bacterial survival mechanisms within host cells.

The project deliverables include characterization of effector protein localization and host substrates at the Salmonella-containing vacuole membrane through single-cell particle tracking and live-cell imaging, investigation of molecular mechanisms targeting host Rab-family GTPase defense systems, and validation of cellular and biochemical findings in murine models of systemic disease. The research outcomes are expected to advance fundamental understanding of pathogenic strategies employed by Salmonella enterica and generate insights applicable to infectious disease defense mechanisms more broadly.