# CAREER: Comprehensive Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Manganese Homeostasis

> **NSF 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Reed College (OR) · $1,069,526

## Abstract

Manganese is an essential nutrient for bacteria. It helps bacteria defend against harmful molecules that are part of the human immune response. However, too much manganese is toxic. Unlike nutrients such as sugars or vitamins, bacteria cannot produce manganese. It must be imported from their environment. As a result, they must carefully control how much enters and leaves the cell. To maintain this balance, bacteria use specialized proteins that collaborate to reduce uptake when manganese levels are high and remove excess metal to prevent toxicity. This project will elucidate the molecular details of such collaboration. The work will use structural biology and biochemistry to study how bacterial proteins control manganese levels and influence bacterial virulence. Obtention of the detailed molecular structures of these bacterial proteins will aid the future design of more precise drugs that target harmful pathogens. This will allow the biotech industry to produce new treatments for serious infections to improve public health outcomes. The work will also improve STEM education at primarily undergraduate institutions. It will expand access of undergraduate students to advanced structural biology techniques. These activities will prepare them for jobs in the research and biotech workforces. This project advances NSF’s priorities in Biotechnology.

This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of manganese homeostasis in bacteria by structurally and functionally char

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2544698
- **Awardee organization:** Reed College (OR)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** CMNJCKH6LTK6
- **PI:** Shivani Ahuja
- **Primary program:** 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, NANOSCALE BIO CORE, Biotechnology
- **Estimated total:** $1,069,526
- **Funds obligated:** $835,085
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 06/01/2026 → 05/31/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2544698

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2544698, CAREER: Comprehensive Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Manganese Homeostasis. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2544698. Licensed CC0.

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