# CAREER: Mechanisms of Hidden Microbes: Secretion System Usage by Endofungal Bacteria

> **NSF 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NC) · $1,222,376

## Abstract

Fungi pose challenges and opportunities in both the field and hospital, where they can cause devastating diseases, create useful compounds, and promote the well-being of other organisms. The roles of fungi as pathogens, beneficial species, and nutrient cyclers within ecosystems are dramatically affected by their relationship with other microbes present in the same place. Bacteria can even directly inhabit fungi, living internally within their cells and communicating with them through unknown molecules. This project seeks to understand how endofungal bacteria communicate with and control the fungi that they inhabit. The long-term goal of this research is to inform new biotechnology applications to control fungi causing disease and promote fungi providing benefits. Complementary educational goals will integrate undergraduate students in course-based and laboratory-based research experiences early in their college journeys, to improve their training as new scientists. Additionally, visitors to the campus botanical gardens will learn through short courses, informational booths, and new signage about the role of microbes in nature and biotechnology. 

Though bacteria and fungi interact everywhere from soils to hosts, a lack of understanding how bacterial secretion systems facilitate cross-kingdom microbial interactions with fungi represents a barrier to our ability to predict and alter emergent properties of microbial communities. To gain a framework-level perspective, this proj

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2541782
- **Awardee organization:** University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NC)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JB33DT84JNA5
- **PI:** Morgan E Carter
- **Primary program:** 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, Biotechnology
- **Estimated total:** $1,222,376
- **Funds obligated:** $1,004,780
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2026 → 06/30/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2541782

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2541782, CAREER: Mechanisms of Hidden Microbes: Secretion System Usage by Endofungal Bacteria. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2541782. Licensed CC0.

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