Finding natural products to treat a dangerous parasitic infection.
Official title: Antiparasitic Agent Discovery from Natural Products for the Treatment of a Globally Emerging Disease
Funded at University of Hawaii at Hilo · NIH-10886134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new natural medicines from Hawaiian fungi and bacteria that can help treat angiostrongyliasis, an infection caused by a parasitic worm, by finding ways to stop the worm's larvae from moving.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Hilo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hilo, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178354-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas where angiostrongyliasis is prevalent, particularly those who may have been exposed to the parasite.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in regions affected by angiostrongyliasis or those who are not at risk of infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on discovering new drugs from natural sources to treat angiostrongyliasis, a serious infection caused by the parasitic worm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The study aims to identify natural products, particularly from Hawaiian fungi and bacteria, that can immobilize the infectious larvae of this parasite. By screening these natural products, the researchers hope to find effective treatments that can be further developed and tested in living organisms. This approach leverages the potential of under-explored microorganisms to yield novel therapeutic agents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective treatments for a currently neglected and dangerous parasitic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified effective treatments for parasitic diseases using natural products, indicating a promising approach for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Hilo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cao, Shugeng — University of Hawaii at Hilo
- Study coordinator: Cao, Shugeng
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.