# Thiol mediated redox homeostasis in Haemophilus influenzae biofilms

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $222,750

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 This application is for an RO1 project focused on defining determinants of bacterial persistence in
biofilms during otitis media infections. Otitis media is caused by airway opportunists such as Haemophilus
influenzae (Hi), which forms multicellular biofilm communities that promote bacterial persistence within the
middle-ear chamber. Over the past 15 years we have defined mechanism(s) involved in biofilm formation by
Hi, proved that biofilms promote bacterial persistence in vivo, and defined metabolic determinants of Hi
persistence within biofilm communities. Now, we plan to use this information to better understand the metabolic
state of Hi bacteria within biofilms, and to use that information to identify enzymes important to glutathione
mediated redox homeostasis to eradicate Hi bacteria within biofilms. In particular, we will ask how glutathione
contributes to Hi persistence in the face of chronic oxidative stress. We will complete the following Specific
Aims:
Specific Aim 1. To define role(s) for glutathione uptake and metabolism in Hi survival in biofilms.
Specific Aim 2. To test role(s) for glutathione mediated redox homeostasis in Hi persistence in vivo.
 Although it is clear that the biofilm mode of growth is involved in the majority of persistent infections,
much remains to be learned about the determinants of bacterial resistance to clearance within biofilms.
The completion of the proposed work will enhance our understanding of the role of biofilms within the
clinical context of otitis media.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9983587
- **Project number:** 5R21AI144507-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM E SWORDS
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $222,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-25 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9983587

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9983587, Thiol mediated redox homeostasis in Haemophilus influenzae biofilms (5R21AI144507-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9983587. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*