Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of Maryland, Baltimore $678,218 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for a five-year Project Grant beginning April 1, 2026 and concluding March 31, 2031. This research initiative delivers multi-omics scientific analysis and investigative services focused on bacteria-host interactions in Brugia malayi, a medically important parasitic nematode that harbors obligate Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts. The research outputs include tissue-specific transcriptomic, chromatin state, and epitranscriptomic analyses conducted through advanced molecular techniques such as single nuclei RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) and single nuclei ATAC-sequencing (snATAC-seq) to examine host cellular responses to antibiotic-induced Wolbachia depletion.

The project generates foundational scientific knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying nematode-endosymbiont mutualistic relationships, with potential applications toward developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting parasitic filarial infections. By characterizing similarities and differences between Wolbachia-nematode and Wolbachia-insect interactions, this research supports NIAID's broader mission to advance understanding of infectious disease pathogenesis and inform development of improved treatment options for filarial diseases that affect significant populations in endemic regions.