The goal of the project is to understand the pathways operative in sepsis and the necessity for improved therapies. Ee will develop a small molecule screening program using in silico drug design strategies based on the crystal and CryoEM structure of MCU-ligand interaction for identification and synthesis of novel small molecules that could be further tested for next generation MCU regulators.

We propose to generate a recombinant LASV containing a codon deoptimized (CD) glycoprotein (GP) as a novel approach for the development of a LASV live-?attenuated vaccine (LAV). Moreover, rLASV/GPCD will provide us with a valid LASV surrogate that could be safely used in BSL2 facilities to facilitate the investigation of LASV by removing the obstacles posed by the requirement of BSL4 containment to work with live forms of LASV.

The Major goal is to test efficacy of novel monoclonal therapeutic in the Sudan virus NHP Model.

We propose to study the efficiency (sensitivity/specificity) of a novel sustainable, easy-to-use diagnostic test to monitor drug resistant tuberculosis treatment using non-invasive specimens (i.e. sputum). We will focus in Mozambique, where TB is a major health issue and is under-reported due to lack of widely available diagnosis.

The extensive genetic variability in seasonal and potentially pandemic influenza strains necessitates new vaccine strategies that can focus the immune response on generating protective antibodies against conserved targets such as regions within the influenza neuraminidase protein. We have demonstrated that seasonal immunization stimulates neuraminidase specific antibodies in humans that are broad and potent in their protection from influenza when tested in animals.

To obtain funds for Ms. Angelica Olmo-Fontanez to cover her research in Aging and tuberculosis in Dr. Torrelles laboratory.

The proposed studies aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying B-cell dysfunction and developing novel immune modulation strategies to decrease inflammation and B-cell dysfunction could have a significant impact on the course of HIV infection, as well as a number of other autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases associated with B-cell defects.

The goal of this research is to understand how the Rv2623 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial pathogen that causes tuberculosis, regulates growth of this bacterium in an infected person, including in the context of the development of a dormant/latent infection, with the ultimate goal of designing novel treatment for tuberculous infection.

The major goal of this project is to determine levels of anti-Ebola virus glycoprotein antibodies in nonhuman primates vaccinated off-site with anti-Ebola virus vaccines.