Arkansas Tech University faculty member Dr. Bindu Subhadra has earned a $52,236 Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant through the INBRE Pilot Award.
“Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter nosocomialis infections pose a significant and increasing threat to public health, particularly in hospital settings,” wrote Subhadra in the grant proposal. “By characterizing the novel regulatory protein VqsM, this project aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms driving antibiotic resistance and virulence. These findings will support the future development of innovative strategies to combat resistant infections, directly aligning with National Institutes of Health’s mission to reduce the burden of infectious diseases.”
Subhadra, who joined the ATU faculty in 2024, is assistant professor of biology at Arkansas Tech. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in molecular microbiology from Pai Chai University in South Korea.
“Our lab explores the regulation of multidrug resistance, cell-to-cell communication (also known as quorum sensing) system, pathogenesis and virulence in infectious disease-causing pathogens,” wrote Subhadra for her ATU faculty web page. “We have a particular interest in the nosocomial pathogen, Acinetobacter. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates molecular microbiology, cell biology and bioinformatics tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of Acinetobacter strains.
“Our goal is to decipher the mechanisms that enable these strains to thrive and develop strategies to tackle them effectively,” continued Subhadra. “In addition, we are interested in the identification of natural and synthetic compounds that can serve as potent antimicrobial agents for treating Acinetobacter infections. Our research endeavors are focused on advancing the field of infectious disease management and contributing to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. We welcome collaborations and discussions that align with our research interests.”
Learn more about the ATU Department of Biological and Earth Sciences at www.atu.edu/stem/bioearthsciences/index.php.
