Award
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 5R01AI182355-02
Combining B. thuringiensis crystal proteins with small molecule anthelmintics to combat parasitic nematode resistance
Recipient
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, MA
Award Amount
$723,130.00
Ceiling
$723,130.00
Awarded
November 25, 2025
Identifier
5R01AI182355-02
The award funds research to develop combination therapies using Bacillus thuringiensis crystal proteins and small molecule anthelmintics to combat resistance in parasitic nematodes, aiming to improve treatment efficacy for gastrointestinal nematode infections.
Description
This project studies combinations of safe anti-nematode proteins from a natural soil bacterium with small molecule drugs used or proposed to treat gastrointestinal nematode parasites. The goal is to develop new deworming combination therapies that suppress parasite resistance and increase efficacy in curing infections. The research includes in vitro and in vivo studies, mechanistic transcriptomics, and computer modeling to find optimal combinations of Cry proteins and small molecule drugs against major gastrointestinal nematode parasites.