Investigating how bacteria communicate and how to disrupt their harmful interactions
Official title: A comprehensive investigation of Pseudomonas quorum sensing regulatory relationships and the consequences on quorum sensing inhibitors in complex communities
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10877911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa talks to each other, with the goal of finding new ways to stop them from causing tough-to-treat infections, which could help patients who are dealing with these serious health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $750,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177555-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly those involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-resistant bacteria or those not involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the communication systems of bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known for causing serious infections that are resistant to multiple drugs. By studying how these bacteria interact with each other and their environment, the researchers aim to develop new strategies to inhibit their harmful behaviors. The approach involves analyzing complex bacterial communities and testing compounds that can disrupt their communication, potentially leading to better treatment options for infections. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how to combat multidrug-resistant infections more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively reduce the severity of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using quorum sensing inhibitors to combat bacterial infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rahme, Laurence G — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rahme, Laurence G
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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.