# Understanding the mechanism of genetic transformation

> **NIH NIH R01** · RBHS-NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2021 · $641,670

## Abstract

Abstract
Natural transformation in bacteria is an important mode of horizontal gene transfer.
Generally, it contributes to bacterial evolution and specifically to the spread of antibiotic
resistance and virulence genes. This proposal will use Bacillus subtilis as a model to
address the fundamental, largely conserved mechanisms that enable the uptake of
environmental DNA. It will address the binding of DNA to the surface of the cell, traversal
through the cell wall and translocation of DNA across the cell membrane. This plan will
provide broad insights into molecular details of transformation and will bring us closer to
the long-term goal of understanding the mechanism of DNA uptake. It is proposed to
investigate the energy sources for DNA uptake, the proteins involved, some of their
structures and their interactions as components of a molecular machine. These aims will
be pursued using the tools of cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and structural biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10205077
- **Project number:** 5R01GM057720-51
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID A DUBNAU
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $641,670
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-06-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10205077

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10205077, Understanding the mechanism of genetic transformation (5R01GM057720-51). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10205077. Licensed CC0.

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