Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded The Johns Hopkins University a $233,125 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) on May 15, 2026, with completion scheduled for April 30, 2028. The research initiative, titled "Manipulation of Host Cell Peroxisomes by the Bacterial Pathogen Legionella," focuses on elucidating how the intracellular bacterial pathogen Legionella manipulates host cell peroxisomes to facilitate its survival and replication within infected cells. The project aims to identify the specific bacterial effector proteins secreted through Legionella's Type IV secretion system that alter peroxisome metabolism and function, and to define the role of peroxisomes in bacterial pathogenesis and vacuole maintenance.

The research products and deliverables will include scientific findings that advance understanding of peroxisome biology in the context of infectious disease, identify novel mechanisms of bacterial virulence, and characterize the molecular interactions between Legionella effectors and host cell organelles. These research outcomes are expected to contribute to the broader understanding of how bacterial pathogens exploit host cellular processes and may inform development of new therapeutic strategies targeting infectious disease mechanisms. The work will be conducted at The Johns Hopkins University's Baltimore, Maryland location.