Antibody in Defense Against Neonatal Candida Infections

描述(申请人提供)：白色念珠菌是早产儿侵袭性感染的重要原因。虽然新生儿通常被认为是免疫低下的宿主，但抗真菌宿主的防御机制尚不清楚。特异性抗体在细胞介导的感染抵抗力中起作用。这项建议的长期目标是了解免疫低下新生儿中特定抗体可能增强宿主对念珠菌感染的抵抗力的机制。这些研究应该为开发适用于被动免疫的试剂和对有风险的患者的这些严重感染提供额外治疗提供基础。这位首席研究员是布朗大学儿科教职的第一年。他在罗切斯特大学获得了微生物学医学博士和博士学位，并完成了作为一名新生儿专家的临床培训。他的研究生和研究员研究重点是从微生物角度研究微生物致病机理，他的导师是基础科学家。这项建议从新生儿宿主的角度阐述了抗菌机制。这一赞助奖项的目标有两个。主要目的是利用布朗大学丰富的研究和培训环境及其与大新英格兰地区的联系，获得免疫生物学方面的经验。这一目标将通过课程作业、研讨会以及与成功的和知名的免疫学家一起直接指导研究计划来实现。第二个目标是通过在有指导的关系中进行密切和持续的互动，在作为一名医生-科学家的成熟挑战中获得专业知识。这项提案中包括的结构和人员将支持候选人的长期目标，即成为一名专注于他作为医生做出临床承诺的人群的知名科学家。因此，他将处于一个理想的位置来协调基础科学的翻译，以造福于患者。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Candida albicans is an important cause of invasive infections in the premature neonate. Although the neonate is generally considered as an immunocompromised host, the mechanisms of anti-fungal host defense are poorly defined. Specific antibodies have a role in cell mediated resistance to infection. The long range goal of this proposal is to understand the mechanisms by which specific antibodies may augment host resistance to Candida infection in the immunocompromised neonate. These studies should provide the basis for the development of reagents suitable for passive immunization and additional therapies for these serious infections in patients at risk. The principal investigator is in the first year of a faculty appointment in Pediatrics at Brown University. He earned his M.D. and his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Rochester and completed his clinical training as a neonatologist. His graduate and fellowship research was focused on mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis from the perspective of the microbe, and his mentors were basic scientists. This proposal addresses antimicrobial mechanisms from the perspective of the neonatal host. The goals of this sponsored award are twofold. The primary aim is to take advantage of the rich research and training environment at Brown University and its connections with the greater New England region to gain experience in immunobiology. This goal will be achieved through coursework, seminars, and direct mentoring of the research plan with successful and established immunologists. The second aim is to gain expertise in the challenges of maturing as a physician-scientist through a close and sustained interaction in a mentored relationship. The structure and personnel included in this proposal will support the candidate in his long term goal of becoming an established scientist focused on the population to whom he has made his clinical commitment as a physician. As such, he will be in an ideal position to orchestrate the translation of basic science to the benefit of patients.