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DMS/NIGMS 2: Demystifying e-coli ecosystem dynamics via synthetic microbial communities with diverse interaction topologies and predictive mechanistic mathematical models

Award Number: R01GM169398
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: 08/10/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2030

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DMS/NIGMS 2: Demystifying e-coli ecosystem dynamics via synthetic microbial communities with diverse interaction topologies and predictive mechanistic mathematical models - PROJECT SUMMARY (See instructions): Microbes mostly live in communities to form often invisible ecosystems in nature. Existence of such communities is almost universal, and they have a significant impact on the visible ecosystem, our health, and even society. However, the understanding of the formation, dynamics, and behavior of such communities remains elusive due to difficulties in culturing, measuring, and controlling such communities. Classical synthetic biology approaches could enable rational and modularized design to overcome some of the existing challenges. We propose to leverage our expertise in gene circuit construction and mathematical modeling to investigate synthetic microbial communities with diverse inter-strain interaction topologies, achieved by coupling bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems with quorum sensing. Cells in these communities will have almost identical genetic and physiological backgrounds and thus observed population dynamics will be mostly due to inter-strain interactions, resources, and physical space limitations. Furthermore, microbial communities directed by synthetic gene circuits offer much more controllability and hence make predictive mechanistic mathematical modeling of system dynamics much more feasible. To demystify E.coli ecosystem dynamics via synthetic microbial communities, we propose three specific objectives: 1) Develop and validate synthetic two-component microbial communities with diverse interaction topologies through design, modeling, and experimental construction. 2) Characterizing rules governing consortia population dynamics in well-mixed liquid culture through perturbation data and model analysis. 3) Mechanistic and quantitative characterization of rules governing higher-order consortia spatial patterning on solid surfaces.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $300,000 )
2026	2026	ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY	1475 N SCOTTSDALE RD STE 200	SCOTTSDALE	AZ	85257	MARICOPA	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	8/7/2026	NEW	$300,000
														Subtotal = $300,000

Grand Total All Awards = $300,000

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DMS/NIGMS 2: Demystifying e-coli ecosystem dynamics via synthetic microbial communities with diverse interaction topologies and predictive mechanistic mathematical models

Award Number: R01GM169398

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: 08/10/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2030

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