The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) was awarded a $696,544 federal Project Grant under the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' (NIAID) Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). This multi-year grant, effective March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2030, will support biophysical and genetic research to uncover the mechanisms driving Giardia lamblia's ventral disc contractile attachment to the intestinal epithelium. The research aims to leverage CRISPR-based genetic tools, live imaging, and advanced biophysical assays to evaluate the contribution of key disc structural elements to the contractile forces governing Giardia's attachment and subsequent pathogenesis. Findings from this work are expected to enhance the understanding of a critical Giardia virulence factor and identify potential therapeutic targets to combat giardiasis, a widespread zoonotic disease affecting over 280 million people annually.
Generated 3/18/25, 3:13 AM