Infrastructure Awards in Global Infectious Disease 2002

James Lok, Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania	Development of Molecular Genetic Tools for Parasitic Helminths 2002 Infrastructure Award in Global Infectious Disease The Ellison Medical Foundation has pledged support of up to $2,832,368 for the 4 year project on the Development of Molecular Genetic Tools for Parasitic Helminths. This will involve developing methods and protocols for gene transfer and for specific disruption of gene function in both Schistosoma mansoni and Strongyloides stercoralis parasites with the goal of answering mechanistic questions related to drug discovery, vaccine development, and novel facets of parasitic biology. The project will involve collaboration among the University of Pennsylvania, Tulane University, and the CUNY Graduate Center.
Eva Harris, Ph.D. University of California - Berkeley	Development of a Mouse Model for Dengue Virus Infection and Disease 2002 Infrastructure Award in Global Infectious Disease The Ellison Medical Foundation has pledged support of up to $750,000 over a period of three years to support the Development of a Mouse Model for Dengue Virus Infection and Disease to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this disease, to better characterize the immune response, and to serve for pre-clinical vaccine testing and evaluating antiviral therapies.