Understanding a fungal RNA that drives drug tolerance to improve Aspergillus infections
Official title: Functional roles of ncRNA afu-182 in azole response and pathobiology of Aspergillus fumigatus
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11382793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a specific RNA in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus to understand why some infections resist common antifungal drugs, with the goal of guiding better treatments for patients with immune-compromised conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $278,704 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM146584-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis or those at risk due to immune suppression, whose infection involves Aspergillus fumigatus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections not caused by A. fumigatus or those not yet exposed to azole drugs may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a long non-coding RNA called afu-182 that appears to influence how Aspergillus fumigatus tolerates azole drugs. Using genomics, genetic tools, and biochemical methods, the team will map the regulatory networks and pathways linked to azole tolerance and the afu-182 regulon. They will also study how afu-182 behaves in a living organism by examining its expression under drug stress in a mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The ultimate aim is to move beyond a simple resistant/susceptible label to better understand and eventually improve treatment strategies for IPA in vulnerable patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of azole tolerance could lead to more effective treatments and improved outcomes for people with invasive aspergillosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in fungal biology has shown that non-coding RNAs can influence drug responses, supporting the potential for this approach to yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dhingra, Sourabh — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Dhingra, Sourabh
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.