Reagan Clausen is studying the N. gonorrhoeae enzyme NlpC. Our data suggest that NlpC is an endopeptidase that acts to produce peptidoglycan fragments that activate NOD2 responses in human cells and lead to damaging inflammation. In addition, NlpC is essential for gonococcal survival. It is unclear why NlpC should be essential, as the bacteria have multiple ways to cut the cell wall peptides. Reagan has demonstrated that blocking nlpC transcription leads to gonococcal cell death. Thus, NlpC is attractive as a target for new antibiotics to treat gonorrhea and PID.