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Contact-dependent suppression of Clostridioides difficile sporulation by enterococci

Award Number: R03AI180614
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/23/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/01/2025

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Contact-dependent suppression of Clostridioides difficile sporulation by enterococci - Sporulation by Clostridioides difficile occurs naturally in the gut among other bacteria such as enterococci, which are present in all animals. The long-term goal of this laboratory is to define the mechanistic basis of bacteria-bacteria and host interactions that modulate virulence of C. difficile. The overall objective of this proposal is to discover genetic factors involved in a potential proximity-dependent inhibition of C. difficile sporulation by enterococci. The central hypothesis is that enterococci suppress C. difficile sporulation via interactions at the cell surface. The rationale for this project is that determination of mechanisms of interaction between the two species will allow the development of treatments that limit the potential for C. difficile infection. Based on preliminary data, our overall working hypothesis for this proposal is: E. faecalis inhibits sporulation via its surface proteins when in cell-cell contact with C. difficile. To attain the overall objectives these two specific aims will be pursued: Aim 1) Identify genes in Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF that are involved in proximity-dependent inhibition of C. difficile sporulation. In these experiments, we will use an arrayed library of transposon insertion mutants to screen for genes in E. faecalis involved in suppression of sporulation. Aim 2) Define the transcriptional network of enterococci-mediated sporulation inhibition. We will develop a well calibrated transwell co-culture assay and will perform transcriptional profiling during induction of sporulation to determine genes involved in this phenomenon. The research proposed is innovative in the applicant’s opinion because it focuses specifically on interactions between two gastrointestinal pathogens and how cell contact with non-kin bacteria regulates a cell fate decision. The proposed research is significant because it will provide a context for understanding how enterococci, which commonly expand in antibiotics-treated patients, affect the balance between spore formation and vegetative toxin-producing C. difficile.


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 = $2,767 )
2026	2025	ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE	47 NEW SCOTLAND AVE # A34	ALBANY	NY	12208	ALBANY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	3	1/22/2026	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$75,653
2026	2025	THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	4400 VESTAL PKWY E	BINGHAMTON	NY	13902	BROOME	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	1/22/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$72,886
														Subtotal = $2,767

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $79,188 )
2025	2025	THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	4400 VESTAL PKWY E	BINGHAMTON	NY	13902	BROOME	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	2/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$79,188
														Subtotal = $79,188

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $78,909 )
2024	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, THE	4400 VESTAL PKWY E	BINGHAMTON	NY	13902	BROOME	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	1	5/31/2024	NEW	$7,891
2024	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, THE	4400 VESTAL PKWY E	BINGHAMTON	NY	13902	BROOME	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	5/23/2024	NEW	$71,018
														Subtotal = $78,909

Grand Total All Awards = $160,864

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Contact-dependent suppression of Clostridioides difficile sporulation by enterococci

Award Number: R03AI180614

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/23/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/01/2025

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