Federal Project Grant Award Summary

George Washington University received a $444,125 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 February 3, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2028. The grant supports research on anthelmintic resistance mechanisms in the hookworm Ancylostoma caninum, with particular focus on cross-class drug resistance selection. The research utilizes a naturally resistant hookworm isolate (BCR strain) to investigate genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones, and tetrahydropyrimidines—three major anthelmintic drug classes currently used in mass drug administration programs for soil-transmitted helminth control in developing countries.

The project deliverables include identification and characterization of molecular mechanisms conferring multi-drug resistance and potential linkage between drug target mutations across different anthelmintic classes. The research aims to develop molecular detection tools for identifying anthelmintic resistance in natural hookworm populations, with implications for preserving the efficacy of current treatment protocols used in global helminth control programs affecting over one billion individuals in endemic regions. This foundational research supports public health objectives by enabling early detection of emerging resistance patterns that could compromise existing therapeutic interventions.