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Studies of Bacterial Endospore Germination

Award Number: R01GM138630
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/26/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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Studies of Bacterial Endospore Germination - Abstract Bacterial endospores are the most persistent and resistant forms of life on earth, able to remain in dormancy for decades and to survive a range of potential killing treatments that no other organisms can approach. Amazingly, these dormant cells can sense a growth-supportive environment and return to vegetative growth within hours through the process of germination. Major spore-specific modifications to cell structure and cellular content drive dormancy and resistance to killing treatments, and the dormant spores possess mechanisms to rapidly reverse these modifications during germination. The long-term goal of this study is to fully understand the details of cellular modifications that determine spore properties, the mechanism by which the spore initiates germination, and the cascade of events that lead to a resumption of metabolism and growth Cytoplasmic proteins are highly stabilized in the dehydrated spore core, but most germination-active proteins are on the membrane outer surface, in a hydrated environment, and must be stabilized during long-term dormancy and potential physical assault by other mechanisms. The overriding hypothesis of the proposed work is that the majority of the germination sensing and regulating apparatus is found in very stable multiprotein complexes in or on the inner spore membrane, which serves as a uniquely stable platform due to its minimal membrane fluidity. The specific goals of the proposed work are to define the components of these protein complexes, to examine potentially unique modifications of the membrane structure, and to examine the degradation of spore membrane proteins and effects this has on progression of germination. The proposed work also includes screens for discovery of genes that play previously unknown roles in the germination process. Spores play important roles in the initiation of several human and animal diseases, and in contamination and degradation of food products. Spores are used as the highly stable vehicles for the delivery of desirable metabolic activities in many industrial and agricultural products, and have been developed as stable vehicles for vaccine delivery. In all of these cases, spore germination plays a key role in the success of the process: pathogenesis or delivery of an activity. A full understanding of germination can therefore drive methods to avoid or improve these processes. Blocking germination can prevent pathogenesis, while stimulating highly efficient germination renders the spores susceptible to much simpler decontamination methods. Stimulating higher germination efficiency or rate can improve the effectiveness of a spore-based product.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2027 ( Subtotal = -$6,359 )
2027	2023	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW	BLACKSBURG	VA	24060	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	10/29/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$6,359
														Subtotal = -$6,359

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW	BLACKSBURG	VA	24060	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	9/3/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2023	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW	BLACKSBURG	VA	24060	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	4	9/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $316,116 )
2023	2023	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW	BLACKSBURG	VA	24060	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	4	7/12/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$305,007
2023	2023	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW	BLACKSBURG	VA	24060	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	5/19/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$11,109
														Subtotal = $316,116

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $305,444 )
2022	2022	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW	BLACKSBURG	VA	24060	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	7/19/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$305,444
														Subtotal = $305,444

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $305,868 )
2021	2021	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW STE 4200	BLACKSBURG	VA	24061	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	7/23/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$305,868
														Subtotal = $305,868

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $306,279 )
2020	2020	VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY	300 TURNER ST NW STE 4200	BLACKSBURG	VA	24061	MONTGOMERY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	8/26/2020	NEW	$306,279
														Subtotal = $306,279

Grand Total All Awards = $1,227,348

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Studies of Bacterial Endospore Germination

Award Number: R01GM138630

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/26/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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