Developing small molecules to disrupt communication in Staphylococcus aureus bacteria
Official title: Design and application of small molecules for the interception of quorum sensing in Staphylococcus aureus
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10995514 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria talk to each other and work together, and it aims to create new tiny molecules that can stop this communication to help prevent infections and stubborn biofilms, which could be really helpful for people dealing with antibiotic-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,408 |
| NIH project number | 1F32GM155981-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995514 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, particularly those with antibiotic-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by other types of bacteria or those who do not have Staphylococcus aureus infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria communicate and coordinate their behavior through a process called quorum sensing. By developing new small molecules that can inhibit this communication, the research aims to reduce the bacteria's ability to cause infections and form biofilms. The project involves designing and testing these small molecules to determine their effectiveness in blocking the bacterial signaling pathways that lead to virulence. If successful, this approach could provide a novel therapeutic strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing small molecule inhibitors for quorum sensing, but this specific approach targeting Staphylococcus aureus is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clay, Alyssa Paige — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Clay, Alyssa Paige
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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.