Dao Nguyen received CRBS-MI4 Blue-Sky Seed Funding to study how Pseudomonas aeruginosa drives infection and treatment resistance.
Molecular basis of Type IV pili-mediated Pseudomonas aeruginosa – host interactions
Shuaiqi Guo and Dao Nguyen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital-acquired and chronic infections, known for its ability to resist many treatments and persist in vulnerable patients. This project focuses on how the bacterium uses hair-like structures called Type IV pili to attach to host cells—an essential first step in establishing infection.By focusing on the pilus tip protein PilY1, the team aims to uncover key mechanisms that drive infection and inform future strategies to combat hard‑to‑treat diseases.
The team has been awarded $40,000 to support this innovative, early-stage research.