Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded The Ohio State University a $354,416 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) effective February 2, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2028. This research initiative investigates novel peroxisome functions in Histoplasma capsulatum pathogenesis, specifically examining how the fungal pathogen exploits macrophage organelles to facilitate intracellular proliferation. The project will deliver comprehensive proteome and metabolome characterization of peroxisomes in pathogenic-phase fungal cells, followed by functional validation studies to identify and confirm previously unknown peroxisomal mechanisms that contribute to fungal survival within host immune cells.

The research addresses a critical gap in understanding fungal pathogenesis by moving beyond established peroxisomal functions (fatty acid beta-oxidation, glyoxylate cycle, and catalase activity) to uncover novel roles these organelles play in histoplasmosis infection. Deliverables include detailed molecular and biochemical datasets, functional assay results validating candidate peroxisomal functions, and published findings that elucidate new mechanisms of fungal exploitation of macrophages. This work is performed at The Ohio State University's Columbus, Ohio facility and contributes to NIAID's mission of advancing biomedical research on infectious diseases through investigator-initiated, competitively reviewed projects.