How the Valley fever fungus makes people sick using gene editing
CRISPR and Virulence Core
Researchers are using CRISPR gene-editing to remove specific genes from the Valley fever fungus to see which ones make it harmful to people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257662 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, scientists will use CRISPR/Cas9 to delete about ten targeted genes in the Valley fever fungus (Coccidioides posadasii) and test whether those changes reduce the fungus's ability to cause disease in laboratory models. Genes that show loss of virulence will then be examined in a related species (Coccidioides immitis) to confirm findings. The team will also create fluorescently labeled fungal strains to watch how the fungus interacts with host cells in the lab. These lab-based steps aim to build tools and knowledge that can guide future treatments, diagnostics, or vaccines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by Valley fever or living in areas where the disease is common may be the most interested in supporting or benefiting from future studies that build on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated health conditions or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to get direct or immediate benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal fungal genes that become targets for new drugs, diagnostics, or vaccines that help prevent or treat Valley fever.
How similar studies have performed: CRISPR has successfully identified virulence genes in other fungi and pathogens, but applying these methods to Coccidioides is newer and less established.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barker, Bridget Marie — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Barker, Bridget Marie
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.