Finding new treatments from fungi to fight Giardia infections.
Official title: Discovery of fungus-derived natural products as new and effective Antigiardial agents.
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11066517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new natural treatments from fungi that can help fight Giardia lamblia, a parasite that makes people, especially young kids, sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $200,086 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182705-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are infected with or at risk of Giardia lamblia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with Giardia lamblia or who are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on discovering new natural products derived from fungi that can effectively combat Giardia lamblia, a parasite that causes significant illness, especially in young children. The team will explore a variety of fungal extracts to identify compounds that inhibit the growth of this parasite. They will purify these compounds and test their effectiveness in both laboratory and animal models to evaluate their potential as new treatments. This systematic approach aims to address the urgent need for effective therapies against Giardia infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new and effective treatments for Giardia infections, significantly improving health outcomes for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using natural products from fungi for antimicrobial purposes, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ojo, Kayode K — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Ojo, Kayode K
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.