This Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (CFDA 93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) supports the development of a novel probiotic yeast-based immunotherapy to prevent the transmission of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI). The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the prime awardee with $511,553 in total funding from March 2025 through February 2030.
The project aims to screen and generate lead bi-specific antibody fragments against the C. difficile surface protein CWP84, which is critical for bacterial colonization and sporulation. These antibodies will be expressed in engineered probiotic yeast strains and administered orally to animal models of CDI. The goal is to evaluate the efficacy of this yeast-based immunotherapy in reducing disease symptoms, bacterial colonization, spore shedding, and ultimately preventing the transmission of C. difficile, a major public health concern.
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