Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences awarded $1,004,780 to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to conduct fundamental research on endofungal bacteria and their mechanisms of communication with fungal hosts. The project, spanning from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031, will deliver scientific knowledge regarding how bacterial secretion systems—specifically type III secretion systems—facilitate cross-kingdom microbial interactions with fungi. The research outputs will include molecular characterization of effector proteins, identification of unknown signaling molecules used in bacterial-fungal communication, and a framework-level understanding of how these interactions influence the emergent properties of microbial communities across diverse ecological niches.

In addition to primary research deliverables, the award funds complementary educational activities designed to integrate undergraduate students into both course-based and laboratory research experiences, thereby strengthening their training as emerging scientists. The project also includes public engagement initiatives through the campus botanical gardens, where visitors will access short courses, informational booths, and educational signage addressing the role of microbes in nature and biotechnology. The long-term goal is to inform biotechnology applications that control pathogenic fungi while promoting beneficial fungal species, with applications relevant to disease management and ecosystem health.