Federal Grant Award Summary

Bryn Mawr College received a $515,862 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. The award funds a three-year biophysical investigation into bacterial lipid trafficking proteins as potential targets for novel antibiotic development. The research addresses antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, by examining the functional mechanisms of conserved mammalian cell entry (MCE) proteins responsible for lipid flux across bacterial double membranes. The project delivers three primary research products: (1) an in vitro reconstitution assay utilizing synthetic membrane mimetics to characterize substrate specificity, lipid translocation rates, and protein-binding partner effects; (2) a novel microscopy-based assay to investigate MCE-protein membrane binding interactions; and (3) a computational model of MCE-mediated lipid trafficking validated through genetic experiments to predict drug effects on bacterial lipid accumulation and depletion.

The award emphasizes workforce development and scientific training, with undergraduate student-scientists at Bryn Mawr College conducting the majority of research activities. The research outcomes are intended to identify critical protein regions, protein-protein interfaces, and membrane-protein interactions suitable for drug targeting, ultimately advancing understanding of how newly designed antimicrobial agents can disrupt bacterial lipid trafficking pathways to achieve bacterial cell death. This fundamental research aligns with NIGMS's strategic mission to support investigator-initiated biomedical research that establishes foundations for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.