Creating new antifungal treatments targeting specific enzymes in fungi
Official title: Developing new antifungals against sterolglycosidases
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11223441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new antifungal medicines to help people with weakened immune systems fight serious fungal infections, by targeting specific enzymes that help the fungi grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $782,178 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI187131-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11223441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are immunocompromised individuals at risk of invasive fungal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fungal infections caused by organisms not targeted by this research may not receive any benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative antifungal agents to combat invasive fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The approach involves targeting steryl-glucosidases, enzymes crucial for the pathogenicity of fungi like Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. By using high throughput screening methods, the researchers aim to identify compounds that inhibit these enzymes, potentially leading to more effective and less toxic antifungal treatments. The study builds on previous findings that certain fungal mutants lacking these enzymes are non-pathogenic, suggesting a promising avenue for drug development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antifungal treatments with reduced toxicity for patients suffering from serious fungal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar fungal enzymes, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Del Poeta, Maurizio — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Del Poeta, Maurizio
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.