Investigating early antigens in Coccidioidomycosis and their impact on immune response and vaccines
Official title: Early in vivo Expressed Antigens and their Role in Virulence, Immune Response, and Vaccines for Coccidioidomycosis
Funded at Northern Arizona University · NIH-11143995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the Coccidioides fungus affect the immune system and contribute to Valley Fever, with the hope of finding better ways to prevent and treat this infection for people who are at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Arizona University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Flagstaff, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,416,075 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AI166058-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in endemic areas who are at risk for Valley Fever or have been diagnosed with the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in endemic regions or those who have not been exposed to Coccidioides may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how early expressed antigens from the Coccidioides fungus affect the immune response and contribute to the disease known as Valley Fever. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, researchers will create gene knockouts to identify which genes are responsible for virulence in animal models, including mice and wax worms. Additionally, the study aims to analyze T cell responses in patients to inform the development of new vaccines and diagnostic tests. The ultimate goal is to improve prevention and treatment strategies for this serious fungal infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools for Valley Fever, significantly improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to identify virulence factors and develop vaccines for fungal infections, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keim, Paul Stephen — Northern Arizona University
- Study coordinator: Keim, Paul Stephen
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.