How genes shape biofilms that grow on body surfaces and medical devices
Official title: Genetic regulation of inter- and intra-species microbial community formation
Funded at University of California, Merced · NIH-11327377 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how genetic programs in bacteria, fungi (like Candida), and archaea build biofilms that can cause infections for people with catheters, implants, or chronic mucosal infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, Merced NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Merced, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $444,952 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM156045-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327377 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for related future activities would include people with device-associated infections (e.g., catheter- or implant-related) or recurrent mucosal Candida infections who are willing to provide samples or consider participation in follow-up studies.
✕Less likely to help
People with acute bloodstream infections unrelated to surface-associated biofilms or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic lab-focused research.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the research grows single- and multi-species microbial communities on surfaces that mimic skin, mucosa, and implanted devices to see how they form and persist. The team uses systems-biology tools to track which genes are turned on or off during different stages of biofilm development, including single-cell and multi-species approaches. They study organisms known to cause human biofilm infections, such as Candida albicans and various bacteria and archaea, to compare genetic networks across species. Although most work is lab-based, the goal is to reveal targets or strategies that could later reduce device-related and chronic biofilm infections in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or disrupt biofilm infections on catheters, implants, contact lenses, and mucosal surfaces.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory and preclinical studies have shown that targeting biofilm-related genes can reduce biofilm formation in models, but translating those findings into reliable patient therapies remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, Merced
Merced, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nobile, Clarissa Jane — University of California, Merced
- Study coordinator: Nobile, Clarissa Jane
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.