How bacteria sense touch to form biofilms and swarms
Mechanical Regulation of Chemotaxis Signaling by Bacterial Mechanosensors
This work looks at how bacteria use their flagella to detect surfaces so we can stop them from forming stubborn biofilms that cause infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162303 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the rotating parts of bacterial flagella act as mechanical sensors when bacteria contact surfaces. They will measure the forces on flagella and track how those mechanical signals change bacterial signaling pathways that guide movement and community formation. Experiments use bacterial cells and quantitative microscopy and biophysical measurements to link mechanical cues to chemotaxis signaling. The goal is to reveal the steps bacteria take to start biofilms and swarming so new prevention strategies can be designed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic biofilm-related bacterial infections (for example, infected catheters, chronic wounds, or cystic fibrosis lung infections) would be the types of patients who might benefit from follow-on therapies or trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with non-bacterial conditions such as viral infections or autoimmune diseases are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent chronic bacterial biofilms and reduce antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown parts of the flagellar stator's role in surface sensing, but directly linking mechanical sensing to chemotaxis signaling is a newer approach with limited prior clinical translation.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lele, Pushkar Prakash — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Lele, Pushkar Prakash
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.