Understanding gene expression in complex bacterial communities
Official title: Single-cell transcriptomics of complex bacterial communities
Funded at Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-10884925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different bacteria in a community behave and interact with each other by measuring their gene activity, using a new technology that helps scientists see what's happening in thousands of bacteria at once, which could help us learn more about how they communicate and share genes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute for Systems Biology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $470,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150994-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions influenced by bacterial communities, such as gastrointestinal disorders or infections caused by complex bacterial populations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to bacterial communities or those not affected by microbiome dynamics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how gene expression varies among individual bacteria within complex communities, which is crucial for understanding their behavior and interactions. By utilizing a novel technology called microSPLiT, the researchers can measure gene expression in thousands of individual bacterial cells simultaneously. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of how bacteria communicate and transfer genes within their environments, which is essential for advancing microbiome studies and microbial ecology. The findings could lead to new insights into bacterial behavior that are not observable through traditional methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of bacterial interactions and lead to improved treatments for infections and diseases related to the microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using single-cell transcriptomics to study simpler bacterial cultures, but this approach in complex communities is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Systems Biology
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuchina, Anna — Institute for Systems Biology
- Study coordinator: Kuchina, Anna
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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.