Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Pennsylvania received a $393,306 Project Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), awarded July 7, 2026, with completion targeted for March 31, 2031. This award funds fundamental research to identify and characterize quorum sensing (QS)—a cell-to-cell communication mechanism—in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii. The research deliverables include: identification of the small signaling molecules that trigger QS responses; elucidation of the molecular machinery responsible for synthesizing, recognizing, and responding to these signals; and development of the first comprehensive regulatory network map of a quorum sensing system in archaea.

The research employs an interdisciplinary approach combining forward and reverse genetics, phenotypic assays, analytical chemistry, and multi-omics studies. The project builds on preliminary findings demonstrating that H. volcanii exhibits population-density-dependent morphological and motility changes, indicating an active QS pathway. These research outputs will advance understanding of archaeal cell biology and intercellular signaling mechanisms, with potential applications in biotechnology, bioremediation, and microbiome research. The NIGMS Biomedical Research and Research Training program prioritizes investigator-initiated basic science that provides foundational knowledge for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.