How fungal lipids help Cryptococcus cause infection
Lipid-mediated fungal pathogenesis
This project looks at whether certain fats (glycolipids) made by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans change how the fungus causes disease and how people's immune systems respond, especially in people with weakened immunity such as AIDS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146651 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare normal Cryptococcus neoformans with mutant strains that build up specific glycolipids to see how those fats change fungal behavior and virulence. The team will use laboratory tests, animal models, and immune measurements to track how lipid changes affect host responses. Work will include experiments relevant to people with low CD4 counts to guide approaches that might protect immunocompromised patients. The goal is to find lipid-related targets that could inform safer vaccines or new treatments for cryptococcal infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future clinical work would be people at risk for cryptococcosis, such as those with advanced HIV/AIDS or other causes of weakened immunity, or people who have had cryptococcal infection.
Not a fit: People without cryptococcal infection or without immune suppression are unlikely to directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new vaccine targets or therapies that reduce death and disability from cryptococcal infections in immunocompromised patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies showed that altering the Sgl1 gene changes fungal glycolipid levels and behavior in models, but vaccine and treatment approaches for cryptococcosis remain largely unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Del Poeta, Maurizio — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Del Poeta, Maurizio
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 below.