Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded The University of Kentucky Research Foundation a $184,592 Project Grant on May 22, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to investigate microbial contamination and persistence in flood-affected building materials. The research will be conducted in Lexington, Kentucky, with a completion date of April 30, 2028. The project combines field-based floodwater sampling from diverse urban and rural locations in Kentucky with controlled mesocosm experiments to track microbial colonization on common building materials including concrete, drywall, insulation, and wood. The deliverables include shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis identifying pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and biofilm traits; comparative assessment of microbial viability and persistence using both metagenomics and culture-based assays; whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics of selected isolates; and exposure modeling data to inform public health and remediation strategies.

The research produces a comprehensive genome-resolved evaluation of microbial behavior in flood-impacted indoor environments to address the critical public health gap regarding long-term microbial risks in porous building materials. Study findings will identify overlooked microbial threats and generate actionable data to support evidence-based exposure assessment and public health decision-making for flood remediation and building safety protocols.