This $504,703 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (CFDA 93.855 Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) aims to optimize a novel ultraPCR technology for improved detection and treatment monitoring of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The award to the University of Georgia Research Foundation will fund the development and evaluation of this ultraPCR platform across three key use cases: 1) monitoring treatment outcomes in seropositive human subjects, 2) assessing parasite loads in naturally infected non-human primates to support optimal dosing of a new drug candidate, and 3) evaluating an intermittent dosing protocol for Chagas treatment in naturally infected dogs. The optimized ultraPCR method is expected to significantly enhance the ability to directly detect T. cruzi infection, which is critical for identifying those in need of treatment and confirming treatment success - a major gap in current diagnostic capabilities. This research will provide the basis for implementing the ultraPCR technique in both veterinary and human clinical settings.
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