Understanding how bacteria communicate in chronic lung infections
Official title: Quinolone and acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing in chronic P. aeruginosa infections
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10883684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa communicates with itself to cause lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, hoping to find new ways to understand and fight these infections better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $438,420 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177575-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cystic fibrosis who are experiencing chronic lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cystic fibrosis or those not infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication system used by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that can cause serious lung infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis. The study focuses on how this bacteria regulates its behavior through a process called quorum sensing, which allows it to coordinate its actions based on the density of its population. By examining changes in this communication system in chronic infections, the research aims to uncover new insights into how these bacteria maintain their virulence and resist treatment. The approach includes analyzing bacterial isolates from patients and laboratory models to understand the interactions between different signaling pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, improving outcomes for patients with cystic fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding bacterial communication systems, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dandekar, Ajai — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Dandekar, Ajai
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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.