Understanding how P. aeruginosa sRNAs behave in human chronic infections
Official title: Characterization of P. aeruginosa sRNAs that are highly expressed in human chronic infections
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11381104 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how two tiny RNA molecules in Pseudomonas aeruginosa may help the bacteria survive chronic human wounds and resist certain antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $765,556 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI187618-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381104 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infections, especially those with polymicrobial wounds, may indirectly benefit from future diagnostics or therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct participation of patients is not described in the grant; benefits would arise later through new interventions or diagnostic tools.
What this research studies
The project aims to uncover how sicX and PA3237 sRNAs affect P. aeruginosa in chronic wounds, using models and approaches to explore their role in infection and antimicrobial tolerance. Researchers will map how SicX controls its target genes and how its activity affects infection in a mouse wound model, which is used to approximate human chronic wounds. They will also identify targets of PA3237 related to surviving cationic antimicrobial peptides and oxidative stress. By linking these sRNAs to bacterial survival in wounds, the work could point to new diagnostic marks or therapeutic ideas for people with chronic infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to diagnose or treat chronic P. aeruginosa wound infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that bacterial sRNAs can influence virulence and antibiotic tolerance, supporting potential translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whiteley, Marvin — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Whiteley, Marvin
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.