Blocking skin wound infections by disrupting bacterial communication
Official title: Strategies to Block Skin Wound Infection by Intercepting Bacterial Cell-to-Cell Signaling
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10769891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to stop bacterial infections in skin wounds without using traditional antibiotics, which is great news for anyone worried about antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $184,385 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI171762-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10769891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with skin wounds at risk of bacterial infection, particularly those with antibiotic-resistant infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with skin wounds that are not infected or those who do not have a history of bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new materials that can prevent bacterial infections in skin wounds by using chemical inhibitors to disrupt bacterial cell-to-cell signaling. It aims to tackle the growing problem of antibiotic resistance by targeting the mechanisms that bacteria use to coordinate their attacks on the host. By interfering with a process known as quorum sensing, which bacteria use to regulate their virulence, this approach could lead to innovative treatments that do not rely on traditional antibiotics. The project addresses a significant health issue affecting millions of patients and seeks to provide a novel solution to improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively prevent skin wound infections, reducing suffering and healthcare costs for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting bacterial communication pathways, indicating that this approach could be a viable and innovative strategy in infection control.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blackwell, Helen E. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Blackwell, Helen E.
Related research
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How diabetic wounds let Group B Streptococcus cause infections
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Understanding how skin cells exchange harmful chemicals to cause injury and wound repair
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Intestinal mucosal wound healing in humans
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.