Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded a $118,332 Project Grant to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on October 9, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), with completion targeted for January 31, 2029. The project focuses on developing multifunctional RNA/DNA (ribonucleic acid/deoxyribonucleic acid) hybrid nanoassemblies designed to enable precise and controlled activation of immune pathway receptors, specifically cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes) and RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene I), while incorporating real-time fluorescent monitoring capabilities.

The research deliverables include the design and development of conditional RNA/DNA hybrid nanoassemblies that prevent premature immune pathway activation and release active DNA and RNA duplexes in a controlled manner within cells. The platform incorporates split fluorogenic aptamers that enable real-time tracking of activation processes through fluorescent readout, providing dual functionality for both therapeutic activation and monitoring. This technology platform addresses the current gap in conditional immune activation methods and is intended to support optimized timing and delivery strategies for immunotherapeutic interventions, leveraging rational nucleic acid design principles to create a versatile platform applicable to targeted drug delivery and immune modulation applications.