Creating a new library to study Leishmania parasites
Official title: Generation and validation of a novel inducible overexpression library for genome-scale genetic screens in Leishmania
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10784754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating new tools to help scientists understand how certain genes in Leishmania parasites work, which could lead to better treatments for the serious diseases they cause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | February 13, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $199,812 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI166002-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10784754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by Leishmania infections, particularly those with drug-resistant forms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Leishmania infections that are not drug-resistant or those who do not have access to the necessary genetic screening technologies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel library that allows scientists to overexpress genes in Leishmania parasites, which are responsible for serious diseases affecting millions of people. By generating a comprehensive collection of genetic tools, the project aims to explore how these genes function and how they contribute to drug resistance. The approach involves cloning a large number of genes into vectors that can be used for genetic screening, helping to identify pathways that could be targeted for new treatments. This work could provide insights into the biology of these parasites and improve strategies for combating the diseases they cause.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating Leishmania infections and overcoming drug resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has successfully utilized genome-scale overexpression libraries in related parasites, indicating a promising approach for this novel application in Leishmania.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yates, Phillip a — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Yates, Phillip a
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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.