Investigating how bacteria share genetic traits that can cause disease.
Official title: DNA transduction in intestinal microbiomes and the spread of pathogenicity traits
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10810995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how bacteria share genes that can make them resistant to antibiotics and more harmful, using a new method to watch this process happen in real-time, which could help us understand how these changes affect our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $721,555 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI171046-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria or those at risk of such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any bacterial infections or are not at risk of antibiotic resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how bacteria transfer genetic material, particularly those traits that can lead to antibiotic resistance and virulence. By using a novel technique called transductomics, the researchers aim to measure the ongoing transfer of DNA between bacteria in real-time. This approach will help identify which bacterial viruses are involved in this process and how they contribute to the spread of harmful traits within microbial communities. The findings could provide insights into the dynamics of bacterial evolution and its implications for human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for managing antibiotic resistance and preventing the spread of pathogenic traits in bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, but the specific approach of transductomics is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duerkop, Breck a — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Duerkop, Breck a
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.