Quorum sensing in bacteria: how cell communication shapes virulence
Official title: Quorum sensing regulation of bacterial development
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11386559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist at Indiana University is studying how bacteria talk to each other and how this communication controls dangerous behaviors in bacteria like virulence and biofilm formation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,063 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM124698-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; findings may later inform therapies that target bacterial infections affecting people.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not the immediate outcome of this basic science grant.
What this research studies
This project looks at quorum sensing, the cell-to-cell signaling that changes gene activity as bacteria grow together. Researchers focus on Vibrio species to understand how the master regulator LuxR coordinates virulence and development. The work combines biochemistry, biophysics, and genetic approaches to map how signals lead to group behaviors. The goal is to identify ways to modulate quorum sensing so infections could be less harmful. The study aims to connect basic signaling mechanisms to real-world paths for reducing bacterial virulence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide new strategies to curb bacterial infections by disrupting harmful communication.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has established quorum sensing linked to virulence, with ongoing research expanding understanding of output regulation.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Kessel, Julia C. — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Van Kessel, Julia C.
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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.