| David A. Fidock, Ph.D. Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University | | Genetic Determinants of Chloroquine Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
Malaria is responsible for the deaths of millions of people yearly. Safe, inexpensive treatment and prophylaxis have been
impeded by the spread of Plasmodium falciparum strains resistant to the major antimalarial drug chloroquine (CQ). Our
investigations into the genetic basis of chloroquine resistance (CQR) have... (more) |
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| Claudia Hase, Ph.D. Oregon State University | | Identification of the Bioenergetics Sensor Affecting Virulence Factor statement in Vibrio cholerae
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
The goal of this proposal is to investigate the observed link between sodium membrane energetics and virulence factor statement
in V. cholerae. Sensing of sustained changes in the level of sodium motive force (smf) might lead to the switching between
environmental and infectious phases of the V.... (more)(Research for the first 2 years was conducted at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.) |
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| Michael Gale Jr., Ph.D. University of Texas Southwest Medical Center | | Mechanisms of Hepatitis C Virus Persistence
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health threat, and now infects approximately 2-4% of the world population. Of those
people infected with HCV, most will develop a chronic life-long disease that is characterized by persistent virus replication and
progressive liver dysfunction leading to ultimate liver failure. The molecular mechanisms by which... (more) |
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| John D. McKinney, Ph.D. Rockefeller University | | Genetic Analysis of TB Persistence: Identification of New Drug Targets
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
“Following infection, the incubation period of tuberculosis ranges from a few weeks
to a lifetime.” This remark from a leading epidemiologist encapsulates the chief
mystery and challenge of tuberculosis (TB): the ability of the pathogen to persist
indefinitely in the tissues in the face of the acquired immune response.... (more) |
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Karen M. Ottemann, Ph.D. University of California - Santa Cruz | | Helicobacter pylori: Proteins and Processes that Contribute to Persistent Infection
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
Bacterial pathogens that chronically infect humans cause a variety of illnesses such as
tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, and leprosy. For example, one such bacterium, Helicobacter
pylori, sustains infections for many years, an ability that can result in gastritis, gastric and
duodenal ulcers, and/or stomach cancer.... (more) |
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| Lalita Ramakrishnan, M.D., Ph.D. University of Washington School of Medicine | | Bacterial and Host Contributions to the Maintenance of the Granuloma in Tuberculosis Infections
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
We study the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and are interested in both the microbial and host
factors contributing to this complex infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative
organism resides within macrophages of infected hosts and elicits the formation of
granulomas, organized... (more) |
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| Joseph D. Smith, Ph.D. Seattle Biomedical Research Institute | | Genome-wide Binding Analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane 1 Family of Cytoadherent Receptors
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
The ability of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to bind endothelium and
sequester in microvasculature is a key determinant in malaria pathogenesis. Infected
erythrocyte cytoadherence is believed to enhance parasite transmission to mosquitoes, but
can cause vital... (more)(The first year of this research was conducted at Colorado State University.) |
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| Jatin M. Vyas, M.D., Ph.D. Massachusetts General Hospital | | Antigen Processing and Presentation in the Specialized Enterocyte, M Cell
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
Mucosal surfaces represent the interface between host and environment. The
gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts extract nutrients from the lumen; however numerous
pathogens exist in this milieu that must be excluded. As the first line of defense, copious
mucous formation in the respiratory tract serves as a non-specific... (more) |
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| Paula Watnick, M.D., Ph.D. Tufts University School of Medicine | | Novel Regulators of Biofilm Development by Vibrio cholerae
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
V. cholerae is a human pathogen and a natural inhabitant of marine, estuarine, and fresh
water environments. The research efforts in my laboratory are directed at preventing
cholera epidemics through an understanding of this bacterium’s survival strategies in the
aquatic environment and in the mammalian host. Surface adhesion or... (more) |
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| Elizabeth Winzeler, Ph.D. Scripps Research Institute | | Functional Analysis of the Plasmodium Genome
2001 New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease
As the causative agents of malaria, parasites of the genus Plasmodium are major
contributors to global morbidity and mortality. While the disease was once
almost eliminated from many areas of the world, the emergence of drug-resistant
strains and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes has led to a resurgence in the
number of cases. There are now 300-500... (more) |
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