Principles of Regulation, Change, and Adaptation in Cells and Populations
Official title: The Principles of Regulatory, Conformational and Evolutionary Adaptation
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11330784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how cells and microbial populations regulate genes and adapt to different environments, with a focus on gut bacteria like E. coli and pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2016 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $778,451 |
| NIH project number | 2R35GM118043-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with infections caused by Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa who are interested in how bacterial behavior affects treatment outcomes, or researchers and clinicians seeking new approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance.
✕Less likely to help
The study is primarily a basic-science exploration, so direct patient benefits may be indirect and realized through future therapies rather than immediate care changes.
What this research studies
Researchers will uncover how gene regulation connects molecular processes to cell behavior and to population-level adaptation under environmental stresses, including antibiotics. The project examines regulatory networks in gut bacteria and other microbes to understand how they survive and thrive in changing conditions. Through analyses ranging from molecules to cells to populations, it aims to reveal fundamental principles of adaptation that could inform future therapies and interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how bacteria adapt could lead to new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance and improve treatments for infectious diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that deciphering gene regulation can illuminate bacterial adaptation, supporting the potential for impactful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phillips, Rob — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Phillips, Rob
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.