Tiny RNA pieces that control bacterial biofilms and chronic infections
Linear diribonucleotides regulation of bacterial physiology and chronic biofilm infections
Learning how very small RNA fragments change bacterial growth and biofilm infections that can cause long-lasting problems like catheter-related urinary tract infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11363896 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how bacteria make and break apart very small two-unit RNA pieces called diribonucleotides, which can change bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and virulence. They use bacterial cultures and animal models of catheter-associated urinary tract infection to see how loss or change of specific enzymes affects infection and biofilm behavior. The team will identify enzymes and bacterial proteins that bind these RNA fragments and test whether altering those pathways changes biofilm formation or infection severity. These findings could point to new ways to prevent or treat stubborn biofilm-related infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent catheter-associated urinary tract infections or other chronic device-related biofilm infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa, would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with viral illnesses, non-bacterial conditions, or a single short-lived bacterial infection are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could reveal new targets to prevent or break apart bacterial biofilms, reducing chronic device-related infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal-model studies, including work from this team, show diribonuclease defects alter bacterial growth and biofilm formation, but translating these findings into human treatments is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Vincent T — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Lee, Vincent T
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 below.