Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the Regents of the University of Michigan a Project Grant totaling $194,400 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028. This research initiative examines the role of organelle contact sites in macrophage antifungal responses, specifically investigating how membrane contact sites between cellular organelles regulate immune signaling and antimicrobial functions in response to Candida albicans infection. The research addresses a critical public health need, as invasive fungal infections caused by C. albicans are estimated to result in nearly one million deaths annually, with phagocytic cells serving as crucial defenders against systemic infection.

The project builds on preliminary findings demonstrating that the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor IRE1α coordinates membrane contact sites to promote phagosomal calcium flux and fungal killing in macrophages. Through this two-year funding award, the University of Michigan's research team will advance understanding of how membrane contact site regulation controls macrophage antifungal immunity, with the ultimate objective of identifying regulatory mechanisms that could support development of host-targeted therapeutic strategies for fungal disease treatment. The research will be conducted at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus.