Understanding how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics in different environments
Unraveling the Interplay Between Self-Organization and Antimicrobial Resistance Evolution Across Spatial Scales
This work helps us learn how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics when they are organized in different ways, like in biofilms or within the gut.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143272 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Antibiotic resistance is a growing health concern worldwide, making infections harder to treat. We know that bacteria often group together in organized structures, from thin films on surfaces to populations spread throughout the gut. This project aims to discover how these different arrangements affect the way bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Researchers will track resistance changes in a model bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, in both lab settings and living systems, to better understand this complex process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications could benefit individuals suffering from bacterial infections, especially those with antibiotic-resistant strains.
Not a fit: Patients will not receive direct or immediate benefit from participating in this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating antibiotic-resistant infections by understanding how bacteria adapt in various body environments.
How similar studies have performed: While laboratory evolution studies have been successful in understanding antibiotic resistance in well-mixed environments, the impact of spatial organization on resistance evolution is a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hallatschek, Oskar — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Hallatschek, Oskar
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.