How bacteria switch to a surface-attached age and how small molecules control it
Official title: Mechanisms of pterin-dependent regulation in proteobacterial systems
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11404968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how certain bacteria decide to stick to surfaces, form biofilms, and become tougher to treat, with a focus on tiny chemical signals called pterins that influence this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $406,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM160733-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient participants; focuses on bacterial signaling mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
There are no direct patient participants in this basic science project.
What this research studies
This project looks at how bacteria like Agrobacterium tumefaciens regulate c-di-GMP to decide between free-swimming and sticky, biofilm-forming states. It explores how pterins are released, move to the periplasm, and interact with proteins like PruR to push the cells toward a PDE-dominant state that reduces adhesion. By understanding this signaling circuit, the research aims to reveal new ways to disrupt harmful biofilms and improve antimicrobial strategies in agricultural pathogens. The work combines molecular biology, biochemistry, and microbiology to map how environmental cues control biofilm formation at the level of specific enzymes and metabolites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could lead to new approaches to prevent or disrupt harmful biofilms in agricultural bacteria, potentially reducing plant disease and improving crop health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that c-di-GMP signaling and pterin interactions regulate biofilm formation in bacteria, making this a continuation of a promising line of inquiry.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fuqua, William C — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Fuqua, William C
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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.