Molecular and Immunologic Analysis of the Pathobiology of Anthrax

描述(由申请人提供)： 自佛罗里达州一家媒体中心设施遭到袭击以来，炭疽热作为一种生物武器已成为公众强烈关注的焦点。对公众兴趣的一种回应是招募在人体模型方面有经验的免疫学家来研究A类病原体。我们提出了一项建议，以回应RFA AI-03-015人类免疫学和生物防御翻译研究合作中心。该联盟包括一群备受尊敬的免疫学家，他们使用人类和老鼠的模型。拟议的科学活动将在生化水平上研究宿主的反应，并从先天免疫和体液免疫的角度进行研究。大多数拟议的工作都是以人为本的，或者说将在高等灵长类动物中建立人类疾病的模型。此外，我们还包括几项技术开发建议。其中两项提案研究了吸入性炭疽病的新模式。第三项技术开发提案将确定调节针对已建立的疫苗的抗体产生的新基因。对科学和技术提案至关重要的核心设施也包括在内。教育核心将包含一项技术转让战略，以将创新发展转移给财团中的其他调查人员和实地调查人员。所有活动都是以里程碑为基础的，每年都有具体的目标。随着里程碑的实现，已经制定了重新指导研究工作的战略。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Anthrax as an biological weapon has become the focus of intense public interest since the attack on a media center facility in Florida. One response to the public interest is to recruit immunologist with experience in human models to study category A pathogens. We present an proposal in response to RFA AI-03-015 Cooperative Centers for Translational Research on Human Immunology and Biodefense. The consortium includes a group of highly-respected immunologists who use human and murine models. The proposed scientific activity will study the host response at a biochemical level, and from the perspective of innate and humoral immunity. Most of the proposed work is human-oriented, or will create models of the human disease in higher primates. Additionally, we include several technology development proposals. Two of these proposals investigate new models for inhalation anthrax. The third technology development proposal will identify novel genes that regulate antibody production to the established vaccine. Core facilities that are essential to the scientific and technology proposals are included. An education core will house a technology transfer strategy to move innovative developments to the other investigators in the consortium and to the field. All activities are milestone-based and have specific target goals in each year. Strategies are in place to re-direct research efforts as milestones are met.