Creating engineered bacteria for new therapies
Official title: Engineering bacterial multicellular structures for therapeutic applications
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11020130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how to create special clusters of friendly bacteria that can stick to certain parts of the body and help with treatments like cavity prevention, vaginal health, and wound care, making them more effective and long-lasting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $382,136 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM157144-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals seeking new treatments for conditions related to bacterial infections or tissue healing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve bacterial interactions or require non-bacterial therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on designing programmable bioengineered multicellular structures (ProBioMS) using probiotic bacteria. By genetically modifying these bacteria to enhance their ability to self-assemble, the goal is to create larger structures that can effectively adhere to specific body tissues and provide therapeutic benefits. These engineered bacteria could be used in various applications, such as anticavity treatments, vaginal creams, and wound dressings, by ensuring they remain viable and effective over time. The research aims to optimize the size and interaction of these bacterial structures to improve their therapeutic potential.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative probiotic-based therapies that improve treatment outcomes for various health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered probiotics for therapeutic applications, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Molinari, Sara — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Molinari, Sara
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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.