Exploring how bacteria adapt their metabolic pathways
Promiscuity, serendipity, and metabolic innovation
This study looks at how E. coli bacteria can change their processes to keep making important substances when their usual methods are blocked, which could help us understand how bacteria adapt and survive in different environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10571700 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain bacteria, specifically E. coli, can adapt their metabolic pathways to restore the synthesis of essential compounds when their normal pathways are disrupted. By examining the promiscuous activities of enzymes, the study aims to identify alternative pathways that can be utilized for this synthesis. The research employs bioinformatics, biochemical, genetic, and metabolomics techniques to understand how mutations can enhance these alternative pathways under various environmental conditions. This could provide insights into bacterial evolution and metabolic flexibility.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria or those interested in the mechanisms of bacterial metabolism.
Not a fit: Patients with non-bacterial infections or those not affected by antibiotic resistance may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for developing antibiotics or treatments for bacterial infections by targeting their metabolic pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding bacterial metabolic pathways, but this specific approach to studying promiscuous enzyme activities is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Copley, Shelley D. — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Copley, Shelley D.
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 below.