Bacteria use small organic molecules to monitor their population densities in a phenomenon called “quorum sensing.” At high cell densities, bacteria use this signaling network to switch from an isolated, nomadic existence to that of a multicellular community. This lifestyle switch is significant; only in groups will bacteria turn on virulence pathways and grow into drug-impervious communities called biofilms that are the basis of myriad chronic infections. Our research is focused on the design of non-native organic molecules that can intercept these bacterial conversations and provide a new strategy to treat infectious disease. This talk will introduce our research approach and highlight recent results.