Federal Project Grant Award Summary

East Tennessee State University received a $626,472 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective June 2, 2026, through May 31, 2031. This research grant supports an investigator-initiated biomedical research project examining the role of lactate in immune dysfunction during sepsis, with a specific focus on B cell modulation. The research addresses a critical public health need, as sepsis accounts for approximately 750,000 cases and 250,000 deaths annually in the United States and is the leading cause of in-hospital mortality.

The primary deliverable under this award is fundamental and translational scientific research aimed at elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of sepsis-associated immune paralysis. The project will generate new knowledge regarding how elevated lactate levels impair B cell function, including investigations into transcription factor suppression (specifically FOXO1), novel B cell-associated metabolite production (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and lactate-mediated histone modifications. The research outputs—including peer-reviewed publications, research findings, and methodological advances—are intended to improve understanding of immune dysfunction in sepsis patients and ultimately contribute to enhanced clinical outcomes and therapeutic interventions for this high-mortality condition.