# Heterogeneity in bacterial quorum sensing during infection

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2021 · $33,894

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Bacteria must express certain factors to successfully colonize and proliferate within a host. Many factors
are controlled at the level of transcription. Roughly 60% of bacterial genomes encode the alternative sigma
factor sigma-54, which activate a subset of promoters. Transcriptional initiation of sigma-54-dependent
promoter requires energy from the hydrolysis of ATP, which is catalyzed by a bacterial enhance binding protein
that binds upstream of the promoter. The overall goal of this proposal is to increase understanding of how
bEBPs promote initial host-microbe interactions. To achieve this goal, the bEBPs encoded within the
bacterium Vibrio fischeri will be investigated for their impact on the ability to associated with its natural host. V.
fischeri cells colonize and grow within the light organs of certain invertebrates including the Hawaiian bobtail
squid Euprymna scolopes. Research efforts with defined bEBP mutants include colonization analyses, which
will determine the extent to which each bEBP impacts the ability of V. fischeri to colonize its host.
Transcriptomic analyses are also proposed to determine how each bEBP affects cellular physiology of V.
fischeri. Together, these results will determine the contribution of each bEBP to the ability of V. fischeri to
establish a long-term association with its host. The candidate will receive post-baccalaureate training in
microbiology research and opportunities for professional development, which will prepare the candidate for
graduate studies in microbiology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10261900
- **Project number:** 3R01GM129133-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** Timothy Miyashiro
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $33,894
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10261900

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10261900, Heterogeneity in bacterial quorum sensing during infection (3R01GM129133-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10261900. Licensed CC0.

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