Seed Grant Fuels Bid to Predict Bacterial "Biological Bullets" from Genomic Data
The Hypothesis Fund has awarded a seed grant to University of Utah biologist Talia Karasov to investigate tailocins—toxins produced by bacteria to compete with other bacteria. The project aims to determine whether bacterial susceptibility to these natural weapons can be predicted from genomic data.
Karasov is the first grantee from the University of Utah.
Project Overview
Karasov, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, researches host-pathogen evolution and microbial genetics.
The project investigates the outer membranes of pathogenic bacteria, which influence antibiotic susceptibility and host colonization.
The research seeks to combine genomic and membrane information to predict bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobials.
Why This Matters
Hypothesis Fund CEO David Sanford stated that Karasov was selected for her willingness to pursue a bold research question with potential for fundamental scientific discoveries.
Karasov noted that the grant enables basic research without requiring specific deliverables beyond research findings.
Hypothesis Fund Scout Harmit Malik stated that the project tests an early-stage, high-impact hypothesis with long-term value for addressing antibiotic resistance and microbiome disruption.
About the Hypothesis Fund
- The Hypothesis Fund supports early-stage, innovative basic research with the goal of improving health of people and the planet.
- The fund was established to support projects that might otherwise go unpursued or underfunded.