Building genomic expertise to combat cryptococcal meningitis
Genomic Research Capacity Building for Cryptococcal Meningitis
['FUNDING_R01'] · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · NIH-11381293
This program helps local labs and scientists in Africa use genome and immune testing to improve diagnosis and treatment for adults with cryptococcal meningitis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BLACKSBURG, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11381293 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As someone affected by cryptococcal meningitis, this project boosts local lab capacity and trains African researchers to use genome sequencing and immune profiling to study the fungus and patient immune responses. The team will collect clinical samples from adults hospitalized with CM in Uganda and perform genomic analyses of Cryptococcus along with immune assays to identify harmful fungal traits and damaging host responses. The effort also funds infrastructure, data analysis skills, and long-term collaborations so discoveries can move toward practical diagnostics and therapies. Partners include Virginia Tech, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with advanced HIV/AIDS who are hospitalized with cryptococcal meningitis at participating African sites would be the most likely candidates to provide samples or join linked clinical work.
Not a fit: People without cryptococcal meningitis, children under 21, or patients outside the participating regions are unlikely to be directly involved or see immediate benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to quicker diagnosis, better-directed treatments, or immune-based approaches that lower death rates and long-term brain damage from cryptococcal meningitis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genomic and immunology studies by this team and others have revealed important disease mechanisms and suggested targets, but new treatments are still limited and require further translational work.
Where this research is happening
BLACKSBURG, UNITED STATES
- VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV — BLACKSBURG, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NIELSEN, KIRSTEN — VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- Study coordinator: NIELSEN, KIRSTEN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: AIDS Associated Opportunistic Infection, AIDS opportunistic infections, AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome