Investigating immune responses to fungal infections using genetically modified mice
Official title: Generation and characterization of CD43-floxed mice for conditional ablation in hematopoietic cells and T cells in immunity against pulmonary fungal infections
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11118929 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called CD43 helps our immune system fight off fungal infections by creating special mice, which could lead to better vaccines and treatments for people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | June 17, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $73,603 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI182772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118929 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with weakened immune systems who are at higher risk for fungal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with strong immune systems and no history of fungal infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating genetically modified mice to study the role of a specific protein, CD43, in the immune response against fungal infections. By using advanced CRISPR-Cas9 technology, researchers will develop mice that can help identify how CD43 functions in immune cells, particularly T cells and hematopoietic cells. The findings aim to enhance our understanding of immune mechanisms and could lead to the development of new vaccines and therapies for fungal infections, which are increasingly dangerous, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and preventive strategies for serious fungal infections, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using genetic modifications to understand immune responses, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nanjappa, Somashekarappa Gowda — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Nanjappa, Somashekarappa Gowda
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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.