Fighting filarial infections with smarter drug targets
Official title: Slo-1 and TRP-2 channel interacting drug targets in filaria
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11435448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study at Iowa State University is exploring how certain parasite channels respond to drugs to develop better treatments for lymphatic filariasis and related infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $378,642 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI155413-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals in regions affected by bancroftian elephantiasis and related filarial diseases, with confirmed infection for future translational work.
✕Less likely to help
People without filarial infections or those not involved in downstream clinical development may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how filarial parasites respond to emodepside by studying SLO-1 and TRP-2 channel targets. Researchers will examine how these targets influence parasite movement and survival and how potential drugs interact with human BK channels to ensure safety. The work combines lab studies on parasite cells and careful testing to identify compounds that could improve chemotherapy for filarial infections. If successful, the findings could lead to safer, more effective options than current mass drug administration alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective drugs to treat lymphatic filariasis and other filarial diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that targeting parasite ion channels can disrupt movement and survival, suggesting potential for new therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Richard John — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Martin, Richard John
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.