Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences awarded $835,085 to Reed Institute under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) on June 1, 2026, for a five-year CAREER project titled "Comprehensive Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Manganese Homeostasis." The project will deliver fundamental research outputs including detailed molecular structures of bacterial manganese transport and regulatory proteins obtained through advanced structural biology techniques such as single-particle cryogenic-electron microscopy, biochemical characterization data, and mechanistic insights into how bacteria regulate manganese influx and efflux to maintain cellular homeostasis while managing virulence factors. The research will focus on characterizing protein networks in Bacillus subtilis and understanding how the metallosensor protein MntR coordinates regulation of manganese levels in response to additional metal ions including zinc and iron.

In addition to core research deliverables, this award will produce broader impacts through educational products and workforce development activities. Reed Institute will expand access to advanced structural biology techniques for undergraduate students at primarily undergraduate institutions, thereby preparing students for careers in research and biotechnology sectors. The research outputs, particularly the detailed molecular structures of bacterial proteins controlling manganese homeostasis, are intended to facilitate future drug design targeting bacterial pathogens and support the development of new treatments for serious infections, ultimately advancing the NSF's biotechnology priorities and public health outcomes.