Investigating how bacteria communicate to develop new antibiotics
Official title: Chemical tools to investigate chain-flipping in quorum signal synthases
Funded at Boise State University · NIH-11035229 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain bacteria communicate with each other to form protective layers and produce harmful substances, and it aims to find new ways to stop these bacteria from causing infections that are hard to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boise State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boise, United States) |
| Project start | January 23, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $126,541 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI175749-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035229 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not affected by quorum sensing mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain bacteria use chemical signals to coordinate their behavior, which includes forming biofilms and producing toxins. By studying the enzymes that create these signals, researchers aim to develop specific inhibitors that can block these processes, potentially leading to new treatments for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The approach involves detailed biochemical assays to explore the unique binding and reaction mechanisms of these enzymes, particularly how they interact with acyl carrier proteins. This could pave the way for innovative antimicrobial therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that effectively combat resistant bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting quorum sensing in bacteria is gaining traction, this specific investigation into chain-flipping mechanisms is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Boise State University
Boise, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagarajan, Rajesh — Boise State University
- Study coordinator: Nagarajan, Rajesh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Healthy Idaho Clinical & Translational Research Development Program
A multi-institution effort in Idaho to build clinical and translational research capacity and workforce to address local health needs.
-
Healthy Idaho Health Research Core supports translational projects
A Boise State University program funds and guides health research projects in Idaho to turn ideas into bigger health improvements for local communities.
-
Healthy Idaho Clinical and Translational Research Design and Data Management
A program to strengthen how clinical and translational studies are planned, run, and using health data across Idaho, helping researchers design better studies and use EHR data responsibly.
-
Healthy Idaho community engagement for translational research
A Boise State University program aims to strengthen ties between researchers and Idaho communities to support research that meets local health needs.
-
Healthy Idaho professional development for clinical and translational research
A program to help Idaho investigators build skills and mentoring networks to conduct high-quality clinical and translational research.
-
Healthy Idaho Clinical & Translational Research Development Administrative Core
A funded administrative core in Idaho helps coordinate and support clinical and translational research to improve health across the state.
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.