Creating 3D communities of microbes to study their behavior and functions
Official title: Spatially Structured Synthetic Consortia of Microbes to Understand and Engineer Cells in 3D Environments
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10902087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how bacteria work together in 3D environments that mimic their natural homes, using a special printing technique to create these communities, which could help us develop new materials for better health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $368,307 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150770-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902087 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in advancements in microbial therapies or those affected by conditions related to microbial imbalances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to microbial function or those not interested in experimental therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how microbes interact and function in three-dimensional environments, similar to their natural habitats. The team will develop a specialized printing platform to create synthetic communities of bacteria, allowing them to manipulate spatial arrangements and study their effects on cellular behavior, communication, and metabolism. By examining these 3D microbial consortia, the research aims to uncover fundamental knowledge that could lead to the development of new biomaterials with applications in human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative biomaterials that improve health outcomes and enhance our understanding of microbial behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding microbial communities, but this approach of engineering 3D consortia is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sim, Seunghyun — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Sim, Seunghyun
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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.