Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of Maine a $777,795 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This research initiative focuses on investigating virulence mechanisms underlying vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a fungal infection affecting approximately 50% of women at least twice during their lifetimes. The project will deliver scientific research aimed at understanding how specific Candida albicans strains drive vaginal epithelial cell exfoliation through dysregulation of epithelial signaling pathways, particularly Type I interferon (IFN-I) and integrin signaling, thereby advancing knowledge of disease pathogenesis beyond current paradigms that attribute VVC primarily to environmental factors.

The research will produce multiple scientific deliverables through two integrated research aims: identification of pathways colonizing strains utilize to activate IFN-I signaling and assessment of differential IFN-I activation between VVC and colonizing strains (Aim 1); and determination of differential integrin signaling in exfoliation processes and evaluation of Candida-bacterial co-infection synergy (Aim 2). The research will utilize in vitro assays with human vaginal epithelial cells to generate findings applicable to human disease mechanisms, ultimately informing future therapeutic approaches to VVC management and prevention.