How Pseudomonas aeruginosa senses signals to make and break biofilms
The role of NosP in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development
This project looks at whether a bacterial sensor called NosP helps Pseudomonas aeruginosa break up antibiotic-resistant biofilms to benefit people with cystic fibrosis and hospital-acquired infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298987 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the NosP protein and its partner NahK in lab-grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa to understand how nitric oxide signals cause biofilms to disperse. They will use biochemical, genetic, and molecular assays to map the signaling steps and test how changing these proteins affects biofilm formation and bacterial virulence. The work is done in bacterial cultures and laboratory experiments rather than in people. Findings are intended to point toward new ways to disrupt stubborn biofilms that make infections hard to treat.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic or recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections—for example those with cystic fibrosis or device-associated hospital infections—would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose infections are not caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or who have non-bacterial conditions are unlikely to benefit from findings specific to this bacterium.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that break up Pseudomonas biofilms and make chronic and hospital-acquired infections easier to clear with antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows nitric oxide can trigger Pseudomonas biofilm dispersal, but targeting the NosP/NahK signaling proteins is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boon, Elizabeth M — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Boon, Elizabeth M
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.