Antibody in Defense Against Neonatal Candida Infections

描述（申请人提供）：白色念珠菌是早产新生儿侵袭性感染的重要原因。虽然新生儿通常被认为是免疫功能低下的宿主，但抗真菌宿主防御的机制尚不明确。特异性抗体在细胞介导的感染抵抗中起作用。该建议的长期目标是了解特异性抗体可能增强免疫功能低下新生儿对念珠菌感染的宿主抵抗力的机制。这些研究应该为开发适用于被动免疫的试剂和针对高危患者的这些严重感染的附加疗法提供基础。首席研究员是布朗大学小儿科的一名教师。他在罗切斯特大学（University of Rochester）获得了医学博士和微生物学博士学位，并作为新生儿学家完成了临床培训。他的研究生和研究生研究主要从微生物的角度研究微生物的发病机制，他的导师是基础科学家。本建议从新生儿宿主的角度探讨抗菌机制。这个赞助奖项的目标是双重的。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来获得免疫生物学方面的经验。这一目标将通过课程、研讨会和与成功和成熟的免疫学家直接指导研究计划来实现。第二个目标是通过在指导关系中密切和持续的互动，获得作为一名医生-科学家成熟的挑战的专业知识。本提案中的结构和人员将支持候选人的长期目标，即成为一名知名的科学家，专注于他作为医生的临床承诺所针对的人群。因此，他将处于一个理想的位置来协调基础科学的转化，以造福患者。

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.