Project 170781

Pathogen adaptation and AIDS-associated Cryptococcosis

170781

Pathogen adaptation and AIDS-associated Cryptococcosis

$586,484
Project Information
Study Type: Other Drug_Development
Therapeutic Area: Infectious_Disease
Research Theme: Biomedical
Disease Area: cryptococcosis, AIDS
Data Type: Canadian
Institution & Funding
Principal Investigator(s): Kronstad, James W
Co-Investigator(s): De Repentigny, Louis
Institution: University of British Columbia
CIHR Institute: Infection and Immunity
Program: Operating Grant
Peer Review Committee: Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Competition Year: 2008
Term: 4 yrs 0 mth
Abstract Summary

This project focuses on understanding the ways in which deadly fungal pathogens attack people with weakened immune systems. In particular, the project will study the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. This pathogen is the most common cause of life-threatening brain infections in people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The project will test whether an animal model of AIDS is useful for studying ways to treat infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition, possible new targets for drug therapies will be examined.

Research Characteristics

This project includes the following research characteristics:

Regulatory Pathway
Comorbidity Focus
Knowledge Translation Focus
Safety Focus
Biomarker Endpoints
Time to Event
Vulnerable Populations
Study Justification

"test whether an animal model of AIDS is useful for studying ways to treat infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition, possible new targets for drug therapies will be examined."

Novelty Statement

"The project will test whether an animal model of AIDS is useful for studying ways to treat infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans."

Methodology Innovation

using an animal model of AIDS to study cryptococcosis and identify new drug targets

Keywords
Animal Model Fungal Disease Gene Deletion Microarrays Transcription