# Assessing the roles of biofilm structure and mechanics in pathogenic, persistent infections

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · 2020 · $233,747

## Abstract

What spatial structure and mechanics develops in biofilm infections, and how such spatial structure and
mechanics impact the persistence and virulence of biofilm infections, is not known. The long-term goal is to
find diagnostic and treatment approaches that address the structure and mechanics of multicellular, three-
dimensional biofilm infections within the host. The objective of this proposal is to determine the mechanics and
structure of biofilm infections of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chronic wounds, and
how these physical properties impact disease course. The central hypothesis is that spatial structure and
mechanics are the major physical factors controlling virulence, antibiotic resistance, and immune evasion in
biofilm infections. The rationale underlying this proposal is that completion will identify key physical targets for
preventing, disrupting, or ameliorating biofilm infections for an important biofilm-forming pathogen. The
proposed work will also develop a widely-applicable platform for assessing the state and impact of biofilm
structure and mechanics for other infecting organisms. The central hypothesis will be tested by pursuing three
specific aims: 1) Determine the spatial structure and mechanics of in vivo biofilm infections; 2) Determine how
spatial arrangements differentiate into distinct microenvironments; 3) Determine the role of spatial structure
and mechanics in biofilm-neutrophil interactions. We will pursue these aims using an innovative combination
of analytical and manipulative techniques from both biological and physical sciences. These include both
recently-developed techniques specific to biofilm studies, and more-established techniques that have been
applied very little to the study of biofilm materials. The proposed research is significant, because it will
determine which structural and mechanical characteristics should be therapeutic targets. It is also significant
because it will develop a platform that can be extended to study other pathogens (or commensals) and
synergies to open new avenues for biofilm therapies. This work will develop foundational resources that will be
used by other researchers, for P. aeruginosa and other organisms. The proximate expected outcome of this
work an understanding of which biofilm structural and mechanical characteristics contribute to clinical impact.
The results will have an important positive impact immediately because they will establish better understanding
of biofilm infection, virulence, and resistance to antibiotics and the immune system for an important pathogens,
and long-term because they lay the groundwork to develop a suite of techniques for better treatment of biofilm
infections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9918864
- **Project number:** 5R01AI121500-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Vernita Diane Gordon
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $233,747
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-25 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9918864

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9918864, Assessing the roles of biofilm structure and mechanics in pathogenic, persistent infections (5R01AI121500-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9918864. Licensed CC0.

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