Developing new antifungal treatments for mold infections
Official title: HTS with Aspergillus fumigatus for novel, mold-active antifungals
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11113802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medicines to fight a tough mold called Aspergillus fumigatus that can make people with weak immune systems very sick, and by joining in, you could help find better treatments for those who really need them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI176237-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, long-term steroid treatment, or organ transplant recipients.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with healthy immune systems or those not at risk for invasive mold infections are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding new antifungal medications specifically targeting Aspergillus fumigatus, a mold that causes severe infections in patients with weakened immune systems. The approach involves high-throughput screening (HTS) to identify novel compounds that can effectively combat this mold, especially in cases where existing treatments fail due to drug resistance. By improving the understanding of how these molds resist current antifungal drugs, the research aims to develop more effective treatment options for vulnerable patient populations. Patients participating in this research may contribute to the discovery of new therapies that could save lives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antifungal treatments, significantly reducing mortality rates for patients with invasive mold infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on antifungal treatments, this specific approach targeting Aspergillus fumigatus through high-throughput screening is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beattie, Sarah R. — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Beattie, Sarah R.
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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.