Natural products that block host-parasite tricks in visceral leishmaniasis
Official title: Using natural products to decipher essential host-parasite interactions in visceral leishmaniasis.
Funded at Fort Lewis College · NIH-11412548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how natural compounds like sulforaphane can disrupt the way Leishmania parasites hijack human immune cells to cause visceral leishmaniasis, with the goal of stopping parasite replication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fort Lewis College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durango, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $130,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16AI189394-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients who have visceral leishmaniasis or are at risk in areas where Leishmania species are prevalent, and who are part of future translational efforts or related clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without visceral leishmaniasis or related exposure may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Leishmania parasites manipulate macrophages to survive inside the body and tests natural products to interrupt those processes. By focusing on sulforaphane, researchers aim to uncover how it changes host and parasite pathways to stop intracellular parasite growth. The work will combine cellular biology with bioinformatics and involve undergraduate researchers in hands-on experiments. If successful, the findings could point to new, natural-based approaches to treat visceral leishmaniasis. The study is conducted at Fort Lewis College under the supervision of Dr. Blake over a multi-year period beginning in 2025.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new natural-product–based strategies to limit parasite growth in visceral leishmaniasis and broaden our understanding of host-parasite interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that sulforaphane can inhibit parasite replication, supporting potential benefit, though the exact host-parasite mechanisms require further clarification.
Where this research is happening
-
Fort Lewis College
Durango, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blake, David James — Fort Lewis College
- Study coordinator: Blake, David James
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.