How bacteria communicate and evolve in mixed communities
Official title: Quorum sensing evolution and function in mixed bacterial communities
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11011141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how good and bad bacteria talk to each other and how that affects their behavior, which could help us find better ways to fight infections and antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | January 10, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $433,459 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156409-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are not caused by bacterial pathogens or those who do not have antibiotic resistance issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how bacteria, both beneficial and harmful, communicate with each other through a process called quorum sensing. By studying these interactions in mixed bacterial communities, the research aims to understand how these communications affect bacterial behavior and virulence. The approach involves creating synthetic ecological models to observe how different bacterial strains interact and evolve over time. This knowledge could lead to new strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving anti-infective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative methods for controlling bacterial infections and addressing antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on quorum sensing have shown promising results in understanding bacterial communication, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chandler, Josephine R — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Chandler, Josephine R
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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.