Developmental Grants
Developmental Grants are awarded to investigators to pursue 2-year projects. While many of these projects fall within the scope of one of the 6 major MARCE research projects, investigators may also choose to focus on other areas consistent with the research goals of the greater RCE program.
The 5 Developmental Grant Projects currently underway are described in the sections below.
Identification of B. anthracis Virulence Determinants
The anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 have focused attention on the need to better understand the mechanism of pathogenesis of B. anthracis in humans after aerosol exposure. When B. anthracis spores are inhaled into the lungs, they are taken up by alveolar macrophages and carried to the lymph node.
Development of improved genetic tools and virulence gene discovery in Bacillus anthracis
This application seeks to improve the genetic tools available for research in Bacillus anthracis and apply them to virulence gene discovery. Specifically, we seek to construct fast, efficient, and powerful allelic exchange procedures.
Therapeutic Targets of Ebola Virus Entry
Ebola is a category A hemorrhagic fever virus for which there are currently no approved vaccines or anti-virals. Recent success supports the concept of using small molecules to block the first stages of infection by enveloped viruses: binding to host cells and fusion with cellular membranes.
Anthrax Detection in Clinical Samples in 30 seconds
Click on the link below to watch a TV news clip that highlights anthrax detection in 30 seconds.
TV News Clip
In the last few years the PI has developed a very exciting assay platform technology that promises to fundamentally address two underlying physical constraints of modern assays and immunoassays, namely assay rapidity and sensitivity.
Ultrasensitive Detection of Ricin Toxin
Ricin is one of the most toxic and easily produced plant toxins, and is readily available globally. Currently, there is no way to test for ricin toxin in samples like blood or urine. Since we do not know how much ricin is enough to hurt people, it is important that public health authorities are able to detect even very small amounts. Our test will be able to accurately detect tiny amounts of ricin toxin, providing important information about exposure events.