Understanding how bacteria communicate to control their behavior
Official title: Biosynthesis of Non-Native Autoinducing Peptides
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11112310 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain harmful bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile, talk to each other when they grow in large numbers, and it aims to find new ways to stop these bacteria from causing infections by changing their communication signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AI172434-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112310 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly those involving Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridioides difficile.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-bacterial pathogens or those not affected by quorum sensing mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication process among bacteria, specifically focusing on how certain bacteria coordinate their actions through signaling molecules when they reach a high population density. The study aims to understand the biosynthesis of autoinducing peptides that regulate virulence in pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile. By mutating specific regions of these signaling peptides, researchers will explore how changes affect bacterial communication and potentially develop new inhibitors to combat bacterial infections. This work could lead to innovative strategies for managing bacterial diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that inhibit harmful bacterial behaviors, reducing the severity of infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting bacterial communication systems, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treating bacterial infections.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Widner, Danielle Lee — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Widner, Danielle Lee
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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.