This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) supports a collaborative research project focused on investigating innate immune responses in diverse eukaryotic organisms that consume bacteria. The $570,122 award will be used by the University of Denver to conduct parallel studies on how sponges, choanoflagellates, and amoebae recognize and respond to the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila. The goal is to shed light on the evolutionary origins of animal innate immunity and discover novel strategies for antibacterial defense. The project also includes an outreach component involving a summer pre-college program for students from urban Pittsburgh high schools, where they will conduct hands-on experiments and present their findings. The award period runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027.
Generated 1/28/25, 9:54 AM