How bacteria move and respond to chemical signals
Official title: Variation in chemotactic strategies within and across bacterial species
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11089026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain harmful bacteria, like Vibrio cholerae, move towards different chemicals in their environment, which helps them cause infections and form clusters, and it aims to understand the signals that guide their movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $645,905 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM158058-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, particularly those involving biofilm formation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bacterial infections or those not affected by biofilm-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different bacterial species, particularly pathogenic ones like Vibrio cholerae, navigate chemical gradients using unique movement strategies. By studying the signaling pathways that direct their behavior, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind chemotaxis, which is crucial for processes like biofilm formation and infection. The approach involves advanced techniques such as single-cell fluorescence resonance energy transfer to analyze how these bacteria sense and respond to their environment. Understanding these dynamics could provide insights into bacterial behavior and pathogenicity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing bacterial infections and managing biofilm-related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully characterized chemotaxis in E. coli, but this study aims to extend those findings to other bacterial species, making it a novel exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emonet, Thierry — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Emonet, Thierry
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.