How microbial communities grow together and affect antibiotic responses
Official title: Coordinated growth in microbial communities and implications for antibiotic sensitivities
Funded at Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.c. · NIH-10903013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different types of bacteria work together and affect each other's growth and response to antibiotics, focusing on a group of helpful bacteria to better understand how they behave in real-life situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.c. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 1F32AI183748-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from bacterial infections that may be affected by antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or those not affected by bacterial infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different bacteria in a community interact and influence each other's growth and response to antibiotics. By studying a naturally occurring group of lactic acid bacteria and Acetobacter, the research aims to understand how these microbes coordinate their growth and how this affects their sensitivity to antibiotic treatments. The approach involves examining both nutritional and non-nutritional cues that may impact bacterial behavior in mixed populations, which is more reflective of real-world conditions than traditional lab settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved antibiotic treatments that are more effective by considering the role of microbial communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding microbial interactions, but this specific approach to studying community growth and antibiotic sensitivity is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.c.
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scheffler, Robert John — Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.c.
- Study coordinator: Scheffler, Robert John
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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.