How bacteria communicate and change over time
Evolution of bacterial communication systems
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BROAD INSTITUTE, INC. · NIH-11383382
This project looks at how Pseudomonas aeruginosa tune their chemical messaging so they balance sensitivity, selectivity, and survival, which could help people with bacterial infections down the road.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BROAD INSTITUTE, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11383382 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You should know this work is done in the lab using a well-known Pseudomonas aeruginosa signaling pair called LasI-LasR as a model. The researcher makes bacterial variants that turn signaling on too easily or not easily enough and measures when and how strongly group behaviors are triggered. They test how those variants handle interference from other signals and how well they grow alone and when competing with normal bacteria. The aim is to understand the trade-offs that shape bacterial communication so new ways to block harmful behavior might be designed later.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people affected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, such as those with cystic fibrosis lung infections, chronic wound infections, or ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Not a fit: People with conditions not caused by Pseudomonas or other bacterial infections are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new strategies for blocking bacterial communication to reduce virulence and improve treatments for infections.
How similar studies have performed: Quorum sensing has been widely studied in the lab and targeted in experimental anti-virulence work, but translating evolutionary insights into therapies is still relatively novel and challenging.
Where this research is happening
CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES
- BROAD INSTITUTE, INC. — CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MIRANDA, SAMANTHA WELLINGTON — BROAD INSTITUTE, INC.
- Study coordinator: MIRANDA, SAMANTHA WELLINGTON
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.