How Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria communicate and cooperate
Pseudomonas aeruginosa sociomicrobiology
This project looks at how Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria talk to each other and work together, which could help people who get infections caused by these microbes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257342 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will grow Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lab and follow how their cell-to-cell signaling system (quorum sensing) changes over many generations. They will mix P. aeruginosa with other microbes in co-culture experiments to see how different species compete or cooperate and how signaling alters those interactions. The team will use genetic and molecular tools to find mutations and circuit changes that lead to different roles or behaviors within bacterial populations. The aim is to learn basic rules of bacterial teamwork that could point to ways to disrupt harmful cooperation during infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic or recurrent Pseudomonas infections—such as individuals with cystic fibrosis lung infections, long-lasting wound infections, or ventilator-associated pneumonia—would be most directly affected by future therapies stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose infections are caused by unrelated bacteria or whose conditions do not involve Pseudomonas are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to prevent or weaken Pseudomonas infections by targeting bacterial communication or cooperation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and evolutionary studies have shown that quorum sensing shapes group behaviors and can affect virulence, but translating those findings into treatments remains at an early experimental stage.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dandekar, Ajai — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Dandekar, Ajai
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.