How bacteria communicate and evolve in mixed communities

Quorum sensing evolution and function in mixed bacterial communities

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE · NIH-11011141

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

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LAWRENCE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11011141 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

LAWRENCE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.