Investigating how bacteria use tiny fibers to move and attach to surfaces
Official title: Understanding type IV pili on the singe-molecule level
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-10939550 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny structures that some bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, use to move and stick to surfaces, which could help us understand how these bacteria behave and form clusters, ultimately leading to better treatments for infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $370,086 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM155280-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10939550 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or similar bacterial pathogens.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that do not utilize type IV pili may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding type IV pili, which are specialized structures used by certain bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for movement and attachment. By employing advanced single-molecule techniques, the study aims to observe the interactions of these pili at a molecular level, revealing how they function and contribute to bacterial behavior. This could provide insights into how bacteria form biofilms and respond to their environment, which is crucial for developing new treatments. The research will utilize methods such as atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy to visualize these processes in real-time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing bacterial infections and biofilm-related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that single-molecule techniques can successfully elucidate complex molecular interactions, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koch, Matthias Daniel — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Koch, Matthias Daniel
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.