EPIC: A Center to study human-infecting eukaryotic pathogens
Official title: COBRE: Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC)
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11382786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A center at Clemson will research harmful eukaryotic pathogens like fungi and parasites to improve understanding and treatment for diseases such as malaria, sleeping sickness, amebic dysentery, and more.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,183,539 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM146584-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with infections caused by eukaryotic pathogens or conditions related to the diseases listed (e.g., malaria, sleeping sickness, amebic dysentery, aspergillosis).
✕Less likely to help
If a patient’s condition is not caused by eukaryotic pathogens studied by EPIC, direct benefit may be limited.
What this research studies
This project creates a multidisciplinary research hub to study eukaryotic pathogens that cause serious human diseases. It will support junior investigators and fund four focused projects on topics like Trypanosome biology, fungal azole response, and macrophage roles in infection. The center aims to strengthen local and national capacity to translate basic discoveries into new therapies and interventions. Researchers will collaborate across disciplines to uncover mechanisms of pathogenesis and potential targets for antiparasitic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain faster development of new treatments and better understanding of challenging infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in similar pathogen-focused centers has advanced knowledge and drug targets, though this specific program is pioneering in its eukaryotic-pathogen emphasis.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, James Culvin — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Morris, James Culvin
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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.