Federal Grant Award Summary

The Pennsylvania State University received a $393,250 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective March 9, 2026, with an ultimate completion date of February 28, 2031. The Burghardt Lab will conduct fundamental genomic research investigating the evolutionary mechanisms underlying facultative host-microbe mutualism, specifically examining the legume-rhizobium symbiosis between Medicago truncatula plants and Sinorhizobium meliloti bacteria. The research will employ whole-genome sequencing methods, bioinformatics tools, and integrated field and laboratory experiments to elucidate host genes influencing microbial adaptation, the impact of bacterial generations outside host systems, and the persistence mechanisms of mutualisms in natural environments.

This grant funds basic biomedical research designed to advance understanding of biological processes foundational to disease prevention and treatment. The research products will include genomic analyses, characterization of host-microbe interaction mechanisms, and scientific publications contributing to the broader knowledge base of symbiotic relationships. The work addresses a significant gap in mutualism research, as facultative symbiosis mechanisms remain largely unexplored compared to obligate pathogenic relationships. The five-year project timeline and funding level are consistent with NIGMS's support of investigator-initiated research projects demonstrating scientific merit and potential to generate fundamental biological insights.