How tiny genetic changes help germs survive and resist drugs
Fitness Effects of Beneficial Mutations
Researchers will follow thousands of evolving microbe lineages and read their genomes to find which mutations help germs survive antibiotics and other stresses, with the goal of helping people with infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project grows and tracks many microbial lineages in the lab to capture rare beneficial mutations as they arise. The team measures how those mutations change growth and survival across a range of environments, including exposure to antibiotics or other stresses. They use affordable whole-genome sequencing on hundreds to thousands of mutants and analyze patterns of trade-offs (Pareto fronts) that reveal costs and benefits of resistance. The findings aim to reveal evolutionary paths germs take so future treatments can be designed to be harder for pathogens to escape.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people affected by bacterial or viral infections or those concerned about antibiotic/antiviral resistance who may wish to follow related clinical opportunities.
Not a fit: People with noninfectious conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-based evolutionary research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform new antibiotic or antiviral strategies and treatment plans that reduce the risk of resistance and better control infections.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory evolution and sequencing studies have previously identified resistance mutations, though applying lineage tracking at this scale to map trade-offs is a newer, more ambitious approach.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sherlock, Gavin J — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Sherlock, Gavin J
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.