Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the Regents of the University of Michigan a $411,078 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) for the period April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028. The award supports research to identify novel antifungal compounds derived from symbiotic bacteria—microorganisms that co-exist with and provide benefits to eukaryotic hosts—with the objective of developing new therapeutic agents to combat drug-resistant Candida auris infections. This research addresses a significant clinical gap, as Candida auris demonstrates high levels of antimicrobial resistance associated with elevated mortality in hospital outbreak settings.

The research team will leverage an extensive library of symbiotic bacteria collected from diverse host organisms including squid, tunicates, ants, honeybees, fruit flies, mice, and humans to screen for antifungal activity against Candida auris. The project builds upon previously isolated antifungal molecules and employs fungal genetic tools to elucidate mechanisms of action. By focusing on bacteria that have co-evolved with their hosts to provide natural antifungal protection, the research is designed to identify compounds with potent efficacy against resistant pathogens while maintaining low mammalian toxicity—addressing key limitations of traditional antifungal discovery approaches.