Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of Notre Dame a $158,000 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) on June 10, 2026, for completion by May 31, 2028. This research project delivers spatial mapping and biomolecular analysis services to investigate how alkyl quinolones (AQs) and amyloids govern biofilm organization and stress resilience in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. The research employs advanced analytical techniques including fluorescence microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and confocal Raman microscopy to create detailed spatial maps of AQ and amyloid localization throughout biofilm development and in response to stress conditions.

The project generates scientific knowledge regarding bacterial biofilm resilience mechanisms and antibiotic tolerance, with the ultimate objective of identifying novel therapeutic targets for combating biofilm-based infections. By examining how local biomolecular organization allows biofilms to respond to and shield against stress, the research addresses an understudied area with significant implications for infectious disease treatment and public health outcomes. The work is conducted at the University of Notre Dame's Office of Research in Notre Dame, Indiana.