Center for Excellence In-Host Pathogen Interactions

描述（由申请人提供）：本资助申请的目的是建立一个宿主-病原体相互作用的生物医学卓越中心，该中心具有高度互动性，由一组充满活力的初级研究人员组成，他们的研究重点是了解宿主对各种传染性病原体的反应机制。我们已经提出了五个新的独立的，但有凝聚力的研究项目，都由初级研究人员领导，将使用分子，生物化学，免疫学和微生物学方法来研究宿主-病原体在不同的传染病模型的相互作用。我们将定义某些宿主因子，如C型凝集素，Toll样受体和其他细胞表面受体在宿主反应的启动中发挥重要作用的作用，我们提出了尖端，关键的研究，以确定分子和信号通路，可以调节免疫反应，抑制细菌/病原体的生长。这些目标将利用一种综合方法来实现，将几个研究者联系起来，以了解各种感染。为了进一步加强该计划，我们将翻译部分作为COBRE的一个关键方面，这与我们的全球战略使命相一致，即满足北达科他州老龄化的需求，主要是农村人口，这些人口容易感染肺部感染，败血症，神经炎症和媒介传播疾病等传染病。我们还将确定新的寄生虫诱导的免疫抑制机制，这可能会导致新的治疗模式，使自身免疫性疾病。该中心的基本原理是，每个人都带来了独特的专业知识和关键方向，共同有助于阐明免疫调节变化在各种传染病模型中的作用。该中心将培养一个重点研究小组，成功完成我们的具体目标将导致建立一个协作和可持续的宿主-病原体相互作用卓越中心，能够吸引最聪明和最有才华的教师，学生和研究员， 在新兴的传染病领域进行世界级的研究。UND完全致力于确保这一群体的增长和可持续性，即使在COBRE赠款结束后，这将建立和维持UND作为美国新兴的传染病中心。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this grant application is to establish a Center of Biomedical Excellence in Host- Pathogen interactions that is highly interactive and consists of a dynamic group of junior investigators whose research focus is on understanding the mechanisms that underline the host respose to various infectious agents. We have proposed five new independent, but cohesive research projects, all led by junior investigators, that will use molecular, biochemical, immunological, and microbiological approaches to study host-pathogen interactions in different infectious disease models. We will define the role that certain host factors such as C-type lectins, Toll-like receptors, and other cell surface receptors that play a major role in the initiation of the host response, and we propose cutting edge, critical research in identifying molecules and signaling pathways that can regulate immune response and inhibit bacterial/pathogen growth. These goals will be accomplished utilizing an integrative approach to link several investigators to understand various infections. To enhance the program further, we have included a translational component as a key facet of this COBRE, which is consistent with our global, strategic mission to address the needs of North Dakota's aging, largely rural population that are prone to infectious diseases such as pulmonary infections, sepsis, neuroinflammation and vector-borne disease. We will also identify novel parasite-induced immune suppressive mechanisms, which could lead to new treatment paradigms for debilitating autoimmune diseases. The rationale for this center is that each individual brings unique expertise and key directions that together can help elucidate the role of immunomodulatory changes in various infectious disease models. This center will nurture a focused group of investigators, and successful completion of our specific aims will result in the establishment of a collaborative and sustainable Center of Excellence in Host-Pathogen interactions capable of attracting the brightest and most talented faculty, students and fellows to conduct world-class research in the burgeoning field of infectious disease. UND is fully committed to ensuring the growth and sustainability of this group even after the COBRE grant ends, which will establish and maintain UND as the emerging infectious disease center in the US.