Investigating how bacteria adapt and resist antibiotics at the single-cell level
Official title: High-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing of bacteria to uncover cell states involved in pathogenesis
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11122315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain bacteria, like Salmonella, can resist antibiotics and survive, which could help us understand and fight foodborne illnesses better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $813,272 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179839-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly those related to Salmonella, would be ideal candidates to benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-bacterial pathogens or those not affected by antibiotic resistance may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the different states of bacterial cells that contribute to antibiotic resistance and other important functions. By using a novel method called proBac-seq, researchers will analyze the gene expression of individual bacterial cells, allowing them to identify distinct transcriptional states. This approach will involve profiling hundreds of thousands of bacterial cells in a single experiment, specifically targeting Salmonella enterica, a significant cause of foodborne illness. The findings could provide insights into how bacteria survive antibiotic treatments and form biofilms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for combating antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using single-cell RNA sequencing to understand bacterial behavior, making this approach promising and not entirely novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hormoz, Sahand — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Hormoz, Sahand
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.