# Ordered gene knockout libraries for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

> **NIH NIH R24** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $617,091

## Abstract

Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the sole causative agent of the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea that
is restricted to the human population. N. gonorrhoeae has co-evolved with its human host throughout
all modern history and has evolved specific mechanisms of pathogenesis that relate to its mode of
transmission and the anatomical sites it colonizes. Rates of gonorrhea are rising along with a rapid
acquisition of antibiotic resistance. There is an urgent need to understand of the mechanisms of N.
gonorrhoeae pathogenesis to develop new treatment options or vaccine candidates. N. gonorrhoeae
is naturally competent for DNA transformation and is one of a few bacterial species that does not
regulate competence. This resource grant will leverage the transformation competence of N.
gonorrhoeae and synthetic DNA constructs to create ordered gene knockout libraries of the two most
commonly used N. gonorrhoeae strains, MS11 and FA1090. These strains represent different
phylogenetic clades of the bacterium. The libraries will include deletions of all genes encoding an
open reading frame (ORF) that will allow the replacement of the ORF with a non-polar kanamycin
resistance gene (KmR). Each KmR insertion mutant will also carry a unique random barcode.
Leading researchers in the field and NIAID program officials also support this resource proposal as
an important shared resource to help advance progress in this field.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10649487
- **Project number:** 5R24AI155395-03
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hank S. SEIFERT
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $617,091
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10649487

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10649487, Ordered gene knockout libraries for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (5R24AI155395-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10649487. Licensed CC0.

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