About the project
The project is titled "More than antibiotic resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of resumption of growth of surviving cells of uropathogenic E. coli." Growth resumption will be studied by analyzing the process of neutralizing toxins. These are CDI toxins, used as a protective strategy that allows bacteria to survive stress conditions, including antibiotics, by increasing the fraction of persister cells. Remaining in a persister state means "going dormant and waiting out the exposure to antibiotics and immune factors."
To fully understand the mechanisms underlying the exit from the dormant state, the researchers will use techniques that allow them to study single cells. Among other things, they will analyze the role of the carbon source, the energy levels of surviving cells, and the dynamics of changes in the gene expression profile during resumption of growth after antibiotic treatment. The project will begin with more general in vitro studies and then move on to more specific imaging studies in a bladder cell culture model.
Significance of the project
The study will be an important step toward understanding the mechanisms that stimulate the regrowth of surviving cells. The results will be used in developing methods to artificially awaken them from their dormant state, stimulate their growth, and re-sensitize them to antibiotics, which will consequently help treat and control chronic urinary tract infections.
SONATINA 7 competition
The competition aims to support the careers of young researchers. In this edition, 185 applications were submitted for a total amount of nearly PLN 150 million. As a result of a two-stage evaluation procedure, NCN experts qualified 38 projects for financing, for a total amount of over PLN 32 million.