COBRE:Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC)

 描述(申请人提供)：真核病原体是人类一些最具破坏性和最难治的疾病的病原体，包括疟疾、阿米巴痢疾、昏睡病、恰加斯病和脑膜炎。这些疾病的全球影响是巨大的。值得注意的是，其中许多病原体是被忽视的热带病的病原体和/或也被归类为生物恐怖主义病原体。重要的是，由于全球化，真核病原体在美国造成的感染正在增加。这项Cobre提案的主要目标是通过在克莱姆森大学(CU)建立一个世界级的研究中心--真核病原体创新中心(EPIC)，增加NIH资助的南卡罗来纳州科学家的数量。EPIC的科学重点将是对重要的全球真核病原体进行多学科研究。来自目标初级调查人员的五个项目将得到支持。他们的项目是：1)醋酸盐发酵在溶解组织内阿米巴毒力中的作用；2)非洲锥虫中糖体的生物发生；3)非洲锥虫中的葡萄糖传感和己糖激动酶；4)布氏锥虫中脂肪酸的合成；以及5)探索氟康唑诱导新生隐球菌非整倍体的机制。这些研究人员将与NIH资助的现有研究人员的导师相匹配。这些项目将得到一个组织良好的行政核心和两个最先进的基因组学、成像和细胞分选以及质谱学科学核心的支持。科学核心还将使南卡罗来纳州至少另外两个由科布雷资助的中心和CU的其他教职员工受益。该中心还拥有雄厚的基础设施基础和重要的制度支持。例如，CU将额外招聘三名调查员，以在项目期间扩大该中心的活动。对研究生助学金、设备和空间的承诺进一步体现了机构承诺。这个由科布雷资助的中心将大大扩展南卡罗来纳州的研究，并将促进招聘、培训和留住在这一重要研究领域具有跨学科技能的关键大批调查人员。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Eukaryotic pathogens are the causative agents of some of the most devastating and intractable diseases of humans, including malaria, amebic dysentery, sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and meningitis. The global impact of these diseases is immense. It is noteworthy that many of these pathogens are the causative agents of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and/or are also classified as bioterrorism agents. Importantly, infections caused by eukaryotic pathogens are increasing in the US due to globalization. The primary goal of this COBRE proposal is to increase the number of NIH-funded scientists in the state of South Carolina by establishing a world-class research center, the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), at Clemson University (CU). The scientific focus of EPIC will be a multidisciplinary study of important global eukaryotic pathogens. Five projects from target junior investigators will be supported. Their projects are 1) The role of acetate fermentation in Entamoeba histolytica virulence; 2) Glycosome biogenesis in African trypanosomes; 3) Glucose Sensing and Hexokinases in the African Trypanosome; 4) Fatty acid synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei, and 5) Exploring the mechanisms of fluconazole-induced aneuploidy in Cryptococcus neoformans. These investigators will be matched with mentors who are established NIH-funded researchers. The projects will be supported by a well-organized Administrative Core and two state-of-the-art Scientific Cores in Genomics, Imaging and Cell Sorting, and Mass Spectroscopy. The Scientific Cores will also benefit at least two other COBRE-funded centers in the state of South Carolina and other faculty at CU. The center also has a substantial infrastructure base and significant institutional support. For example, CU will recruit three additional investigators to expand activities of this center over the course of the project period. Pledges of graduate assistantships, equipment, and space further exemplify the institutional commitment. This COBRE-funded center will significantly expand research in South Carolina and will facilitate recruitment, training, and retention of a critical mass of investigatos with cross-disciplinary skills in this important research area.