Understanding how bacteria communicate and behave in biofilms
From cell-to-cell heterogeneity to collective behaviors in bacterial biofilms
This study looks at how groups of bacteria, called biofilms, work together and communicate, especially to understand how they survive tough conditions like antibiotic treatment, which could help find better ways to treat infections caused by these stubborn bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086814 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how bacterial communities, known as biofilms, communicate and behave collectively. By examining the interactions between individual bacterial cells within these communities, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow them to survive in harsh environments, particularly their tolerance to antibiotics. The research employs advanced techniques such as time-lapse imaging and spatial gene expression measurements to observe these behaviors in real-time. This approach could lead to new insights into how to disrupt biofilms and improve treatment strategies for infections caused by these resilient bacterial communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from chronic infections related to biofilm-forming bacteria, such as those with cystic fibrosis or implanted medical devices.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by non-biofilm-forming bacteria may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant biofilms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding bacterial behavior in biofilms, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University (Charles River Campus) — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larkin, Joseph W — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Larkin, Joseph W
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.