# The pel exopolysaccharide gene cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $452,514

## Abstract

Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections result in significant morbidity and mortality in people
suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). A key feature of these infections is that they involve biofilm
communities. The expression of several key biofilm matrix components (e.g. the Pel,Psl
exopolysaccharides and the matrix adhesin CdrA) are known to be initiated upon interaction
with a surface. There are two known surface sensing systems in P. aeruginosa, Wsp and Pil-
Chp, that both act by stimulating production of the intracellular signal c-di-GMP. The overall
goals of this application are to investigate the Wsp surface sensing system, the signals it
responds to, how it integrates surface sensing with the other surface sensing system Pil-Chp
during the early stages of biofilm aggregate assembly. We will also examine the pathogenic
fitness advantages of different surface sensing genotypes in murine models of infection and in
vitro cellular immunological assays. This proposal will address gaps in our knowledge as to how
surface sensing works and its contribution to pathogenesis. Future therapeutic strategies
(particularly ones directed towards biofilm communities) will benefit from such knowledge.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10817830
- **Project number:** 5R01AI077628-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** MATTHEW R. PARSEK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $452,514
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-07-17 → 2026-02-18

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10817830

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10817830, The pel exopolysaccharide gene cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5R01AI077628-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10817830. Licensed CC0.

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