How Pseudomonas makes the sticky sugars that form biofilms
The pel exopolysaccharide gene cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
This project looks at how the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa builds the sticky sugar matrix that helps it form biofilms, to help people with long-term infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11315823 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how Pseudomonas senses and responds to different surfaces and flow conditions in the lab to understand when it switches into a biofilm-making mode. They will focus on two bacterial signaling molecules, c-di-GMP and cAMP, that push the bug toward chronic biofilm behavior or acute, mobile behavior, and determine how those signals control each other. The team will also examine a separate cell-envelope stress pathway (the Cpx system) that appears to trigger surface responses independently. Work will use molecular genetics, microscopy, and relevant infection models to link bacterial behavior to conditions that matter in human infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ongoing or recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections (for example cystic fibrosis lung infections, chronic wound infections, or device-associated infections) would be most relevant for related sample donation or future clinical follow-up studies.
Not a fit: Patients without Pseudomonas infections or whose problems are caused by non-biofilm conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or break Pseudomonas biofilms and improve treatment of chronic infections such as those in cystic fibrosis lungs, chronic wounds, or device-related infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown c-di-GMP promotes biofilm formation and cAMP promotes acute behaviors, but translating these molecular findings into effective patient treatments has been limited so far.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parsek, Matthew R. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Parsek, Matthew R.
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.