Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of Maryland, Baltimore a $440,211 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period April 16, 2026 through March 31, 2028. This research initiative focuses on investigating the epigenetic regulation of neo-sex chromosomes in filarial parasites, with the goal of generating fundamental biological knowledge that could inform the development of lineage-specific therapeutic interventions against filarial disease. The research directly examines filarial nematodes—obligate vertebrate parasites that represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions and are currently difficult to treat due to drug contraindications in co-endemic disease areas.

The funded research will generate scientific knowledge regarding sex chromosome evolution and differentiation mechanisms specific to filarial nematodes, which possess unique neo-Y chromosomes not found in commonly studied model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans. The study will assess whether known mechanisms of sex chromosome regulation apply to these parasitic organisms and contribute to understanding of genome evolution more broadly. By developing enhanced understanding of filarial parasite biology and essential genetic traits, this research supports NIAID's mission to advance scientific knowledge and improve public health outcomes in addressing infectious disease challenges, particularly in resource-limited tropical settings where filarial infections represent significant disease burdens.