U01AI168609

Uganda Schistosomiasis Multidisciplinary Research Centre (U-SMRC) - Summary

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease, estimated to affect 240 million people worldwide, leading to a loss of a minimum of 1.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually. 90% of this burden is in sub-Saharan Africa. In East Africa, Uganda has a strong track record of seminal studies and partnerships on schistosomiasis research.

The Uganda Schistosomiasis Multidisciplinary Research Centre (U-SMRC) aims to build on this solid foundation to develop a vibrant, Uganda-led, Uganda-based international schistosomiasis research network that fosters African capacity for transformative tropical medicine research.

Uganda is highly endemic for Schistosoma mansoni (SM). Intestinal schistosomiasis is universal in many villages around its Great Lakes and the River Nile. The Ministry of Health's Vector Control Division (VCD), responsible for schistosomiasis control, has long been concerned by the high rates of severe schistosomal morbidity in the north-western Lake Albert region (LA), compared to the central and eastern Lake Victoria region (LV), despite comparable transmission and programs of praziquantel mass drug administration.

In response to this concern, the U-SMRC's core research goal is to understand the biological determinants of severe SM-associated morbidity and to identify better strategies for its prevention and control. The hypothesis is that key biological determinants of severe schistosomal morbidity occur at each stage of the parasite's life cycle: in the human host, in the parasite, and in the snail host and its environment.

To investigate this hypothesis, two study designs will be used: (I) cohorts of pre-school-age children (PSAC) in LA and LV, to explore the early evolution of immune responses that may lead to severe morbidity, and (II) an adult case control study to identify chronic exposures associated with severe disease. Parasite and snail samples will also be collected from both settings, and a specimen archive will be developed for future studies.

The specific aims of the research are:

Aim 1: Compare early-life immune responses to SM exposure and infection between LA and LV and identify co-exposures that modulate SM-specific immune responses and morbidity risk.

Aim 2: Establish a platform for local genetic surveillance of schistosome parasites in Uganda and determine whether there is a parasite genetic basis to differences in clinical outcomes in LA and LV.

Aim 3: Determine which population biological determinants of Biomphalaria spp. snails act as local epidemiological drivers of SM, filtering its diversity within and between LA and LV ecosystems, and whether detection of environmental (E)DNA signatures from Biomphalaria and SM can be used to better predict snail/parasite diversity at transmission sites and (re)infection risk within key demographic groups.

Data from each aim will be used to develop a comprehensive, integrated model of the drivers of severe SM-associated morbidity. This model will be further utilized to evaluate the likely benefits of selected interventions and to guide future policy on prevention and management.

Uganda Virus Research Institute

TO ASSIST PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH, EXPAND AND IMPROVE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND RELATED AREAS, TO CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH, TO PRODUCE AND TEST RESEARCH MATERIALS. TO ASSIST PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH, TO PRODUCE AND TEST RESEARCH MATERIALS, TO PROVIDE RESEARCH SERVICES AS REQUIRED BY THE AGENCY FOR PROGRAMS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND CONTROLLING DISEASE CAUSED BY INFECTIOUS OR PARASITIC AGENTS, ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES AND RELATED AREAS. PROJECTS RANGE FROM STUDIES OF MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANTIGENIC STRUCTURE TO COLLABORATIVE TRIALS OF EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS AND VACCINES, MECHANISMS OF RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS AS WELL AS RESEARCH DEALING WITH EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS OR COMMUNITY POPULATIONS AND PROGRESS IN ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES. BECAUSE OF THIS DUAL FOCUS, THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES BOTH BASIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL RESEARCH. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM EXPANDS AND IMPROVES PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. THE SBIR PROGRAM INTENDS TO INCREASE AND FACILITATE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM STIMULATES AND FOSTERS SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTISTS DURING THE FORMATIVE STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS. INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS (NRSAS) ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO APPROVE APPLICANTS FOR RESEARCH TRAINING IN SPECIFIED BIOMEDICAL SHORTAGE AREAS. IN ADDITION, INSTITUTIONAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS ARE MADE TO ENABLE INSTITUTIONS TO SELECT AND MAKE AWARDS TO INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE TRAINING UNDER THE AEGIS OF THEIR INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM.

93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Uganda

Foreign

Tropical Medicine Research Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-AI-21-004)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 295% from $539,673 to $2,130,877.