INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND IMMUNOLOGY PROJECT

项目总结（见说明）： 传染病和免疫学项目的目标是协调和促进对新出现的传染性病原体及其给埃尔帕索-华雷斯城地区人口带来的问题的研究。艾滋病毒感染率高、耐药结核病发病率高以及对寄生虫感染的日益关注都是例子，但并不是正在调查的所有疾病及其病因。作为一个共同的线索，BBRC的研究人员正在研究致病病毒和原生动物，并调查免疫的基本机制，试图改善疾病的应对措施。例如，正在研究的是微生物的靶分子和由它们刺激的免疫反应，这些分子可能会指导药物开发，导致更好地理解发病机制，或转化为新的诊断和疫苗。IDIP历来通过以下方式提供强有力、协调良好的支持： BBRC核心实验室，其主要研究人员和其他调查人员，并将继续这样做。在这个新申请的RCMI资助周期内，为提高研究生产力和能力，我们将达到的新的具体目标是：（1）利用RCMI的支持设施，并通过促进内部和外部合作，提高我们在边境传染病方面的研究能力;（2）通过拟议的BBRC试点补助金计划，选择研究人员获得资助，以促进教师发展，以及（3）通过招聘两名新的教师来加强该项目，他们将补充和扩展当前的研究工作。 IDIP活动的扩大也是通过与埃尔帕索的德克萨斯大学公共卫生学院区域校区、埃尔的德克萨斯理工大学健康科学中心的研究人员合作进行的。 帕索，以及其他UTEP研究小组。与IDIP一起进行的相关调查都需要BBRC核心实验室执行。目前正在要求提供经费，以提供行政用品和支助，使国际发展研究所的领导能够继续协调这些研究活动，并抵消调查人员出席国家会议的旅费，他们将在会上介绍他们的发现。

PROJECT SUMMARY (See instructions): The objective of the Infectious Diseases and Immunology Project (IDIP) is to coordinate and facilitate the research on emerging infectious agents and the problems they present to the population of the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez region. The high rate of infections with HIV, the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and a growing concern about parasitic infections are examples but not a full spectrum of diseases and their etiologies being investigated. As a common thread, BBRC researchers are studying disease causing viruses and protozoa and investigating basic mechanisms of immunity in attempts to improve disease counter measures. For example, being studied are target molecules of microbes and immune reactions stimulated by them that might guide drug development, lead to a better understanding of pathogenesis, or translate into new diagnostics and vaccines. The IDIP has historically provided strong, well coordinated support, through BBRC Core Laboratories, for its primary researchers and other investigators, and will continue to do so. New specific Aims to be achieved during this newly requested RCMI funding cycle to enhance research productivity and capacity are to (1) To enhance our research capabilities on border-related infectious diseases using RCMI Supported Facilities and by promoting internal and external collaborations; (2) To promote faculty development by selecting the investigators for funding via the proposed BBRC Pilot Grant Initiatives, and (3) To strengthen the project by recruiting two new faculty members who will complement and extend current research efforts. Expansion of IDIP activities is also occurring through collaborations with investigators at the University of Texas School of Public Health Regional Campus in El Paso, the Texas Tech Health Science Center in El. Paso, and with other UTEP research groups. Related investigations carried out in association with the IDIP all require BBRC Core Laboratories for execution. Funds are being requested to provide administrative supplies and support for IDIP leadership to continue the coordination of these research activities and to offset travel costs of investigators to attend national meetings where they will present their discoveries.