Structural details of a bacterial signaling switch at the cell surface
Official title: Structural basis of sigma-regulator recognition by a site-1 protease during cell surface signaling by Gram-negative bacteria.
Funded at North Dakota State University · NIH-11368175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how certain Gram-negative bacteria sense their environment and regulate nutrient uptake, with the goal of finding new ways to combat drug-resistant infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Dakota State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fargo, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2018 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $310,211 |
| NIH project number | 2R01GM126207-05A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not human participants-based; applicable to researchers developing antibacterial therapies.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation or benefit; study is laboratory-based.
What this research studies
This project looks at how an outer-m membrane signaling system in Gram-negative bacteria controls access to iron and other nutrients. By examining the 3D structure and mechanism of a key proteolytic process in the s-regulator, scientists hope to map how signals are transmitted from the cell surface to the inside of the cell. The work compares two model systems to understand different proteolysis events, which could reveal new targets for therapies. The findings could inform the design of more precise antibiotics that disrupt essential bacterial signaling without harming humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of bacterial signaling could lead to new therapeutic targets to fight drug-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other structural studies of bacterial signaling components have yielded actionable insights for drug development.
Where this research is happening
-
North Dakota State University
Fargo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colbert, Christopher L — North Dakota State University
- Study coordinator: Colbert, Christopher L
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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.