Biodefense: Analysis of Human Lung-Host-Pathogen Interactions

描述(由申请人提供)：本申请建议结合和利用大学在微生物发病机制、宿主防御和肺部生物学方面的研究和培训方面的广泛资源和经验。爱荷华州立大学、爱荷华州立大学。堪萨斯州和威奇托州立大学。作为启动活动的基础，这些活动将导致在第七区域建立生物防御和新出现病原体综合卓越研究中心(RCE)。大多数NIAID A类生物恐怖主义制剂，如果用于生物攻击，将通过气雾化提供。因此，这些病原体和肺部宿主防御系统之间的界面将是宿主预防或限制接触这些微生物造成感染的能力的关键决定因素。由先天免疫系统、肺上皮细胞和肺微血管系统提供的宿主防御可能是最重要的。因此，该中心的调查和培训活动将针对NIAID A-C类生物防御剂感染的发病机制，重点放在A类生物防御剂，重点是这些病原体与肺宿主防御的这些方面的相互作用。这项工作的最终目标和支持它的中心将是开发诊断、治疗和或预防这些感染的新方法。这一应用程序支持的发展活动将通过设在大学的行政核心进行协调。来自爱荷华州。它将继续先前启动的战略规划进程，并开发已确定为改进机会的领域。通过将为中心活动作出贡献的大约100名个人的行动，将实现以下目标：1)在确定的研究重点领域为基础、翻译、临床和流行病学研究提供支持和发展；2)创造全面的培训经验，为博士后实习生和现有教员在这些领域的研究生涯做准备；3)建立促进中心研究人员之间智力交流和合作的基础设施；4)开发通信基础设施，以协助实现目标3，并允许中心在发生新的生物袭击时作为公共卫生应对的独特资源；5)在1-2年内提交RCE申请。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application proposes to combine and utilize the extensive resources and experience in research and training related to microbial pathogenesis, host defense, and lung biology at the Univ. of Iowa, Iowa State University, The Univ. of Kansas, and Wichita State Univ. as the basis from which to initiate activities that will lead to the establishment of a comprehensive Research Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Pathogens (RCE) in Region VII. Most NIAID category A bioterrorism agents, if employed in a biological attack, would be delivered via aerosolization. Hence, the interface between these pathogens and lung host-defense systems will be a critical determinant in the ability of the host to prevent or limit infection resulting from exposure to these organisms. It is those aspects of host defense provided by the innate immune system, epithelium and microvasculature of the lung that are likely to be the most important. Therefore, the investigative and training activities of this center will target the pathogenesis of infection with NIAID Category A-C biodefense agents, heavily emphasizing Category A, with a focus on the interactions between these agents and these aspects of lung host defense. The ultimate goal of the work performed and the center that will support it will be to develop novel approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and or prevention of these infections. The developmental activities to be supported by this application will be coordinated through an Administrative Core located at the Univ. of Iowa. It will continue the previously initiated strategic planning process as well as develop areas already identified as opportunities for improvement. Through the actions of the approximately 100 individuals who will contribute to center activities, the following goals will be pursued: 1) provide for the support and development of basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic research in the research focus area identified; 2) create a comprehensive training experience to prepare post-doctoral trainees and current faculty for research careers in these areas; 3) create an infrastructure that promotes intellectual exchange and collaboration among center investigators; 4) develop a communication infrastructure that will assist with goal 3 and allow the center to serve as a unique resource to public health response in the event of a new biological attack; and 5) submit a RCE application within 1-2 years.