Control of Type I Interferon Production in Response to Candida
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11550571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Columbia University focuses on how the body’s type I interferon system responds to Candida infections and what this means for treatment of dangerous bloodstream infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $845,641 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AI150181-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11550571 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with invasive Candida bloodstream infections or individuals at high risk for candidemia.
✕Less likely to help
People without Candida bloodstream infection or without involvement of the IFN pathway may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why some people are more susceptible to severe candida bloodstream infections and how the immune system’s IFN pathway influences outcomes. Researchers will explore how dormant and active signals from Candida, including extracellular vesicles, trigger the cGAS-STING pathway and IFN responses. They will test genetic factors like TREX1 and other components that regulate this immune response, aiming to map how these signals affect infection severity and organ involvement. The work combines mouse models and human data to understand whether manipulating this pathway could improve antifungal strategies in hospitalized patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches that modulate the immune response to Candida, potentially reducing mortality from candidemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked the cGAS-STING/interferon pathway to fungal infections, with some evidence suggesting modulation could alter outcomes, though this area remains under active investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vyas, Jatin M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Vyas, Jatin M
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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.