Developing a new method to target and study drug-resistant Candida fungi
Official title: Development and application of auxin-inducible degradation in Candida pathogens
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-10913591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better understand and fight drug-resistant fungal infections, especially for people with weakened immune systems, by using a new method to explore what makes these fungi tough to treat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $192,017 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174123-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are immunocompromised and at risk for opportunistic fungal infections, particularly those caused by Candida species.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fungal infections that are not caused by Candida species or those who are not immunocompromised may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the growing problem of drug-resistant fungal infections, particularly in immune-compromised individuals. The team aims to develop a novel technology called auxin-inducible degradation (AID) to study the factors that contribute to the virulence and drug resistance of Candida pathogens. By engineering specific strains of Candida, the researchers will create a system that allows for rapid and precise depletion of target proteins, which is crucial for understanding how these fungi resist treatment. This approach could lead to the identification of new molecular targets for antifungal drug development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antifungal treatments for patients suffering from drug-resistant fungal infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar molecular techniques to target and study pathogens, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hall, Mark C — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Hall, Mark C
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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.