U54TW012056
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa Using Data Science (CAMRA) - Bacterial infections are highly prevalent and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality across all age groups. However, due to the non-existence or limited availability of appropriate microbiologic diagnostic services, ascertaining the specific etiologic agents and the true prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major challenge in Africa, where objective data is limited.
Preliminary observations from Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, include the following:
A) High prevalence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) with a 45% prevalence of multidrug resistance.
B) High prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) bloodstream infections.
C) Maternal colonization by ESBL-E in women at delivery is associated with high all-cause morbidity and mortality in their newborn babies compared to ESBL-unexposed babies.
D) Periodic outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis in newborn units with case fatality rates as high as 45%.
We have preliminary molecular characterization of about 500 of the 2,750 diverse bloodstream bacterial isolates in our collection. In addition, we have access to a collection of over 2,500 clinical isolates of blood, sputum, and urine from our sentinel laboratories in Nigeria and Rwanda that are partially characterized. Our unique observations related to AMR genes that we have identified in our archived isolates form the basis for this research proposal.
Our overall strategy in this application focuses on three thematic areas:
1) Comparative phenotypic and genotypic studies of archived and contemporary clinical isolates to inform trends in AMR and dynamics of transmission.
2) Incorporation of acute inflammatory markers of serious bacterial infection and gene products from resistant bacteria into a portable screening tool for clinical care.
3) Explore the potential benefit of an aminoglycoside (tobramycin) conjugated to an antimicrobial peptide for enhanced bactericidal activity against multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriales.
We have assembled a multidisciplinary team of clinical and molecular microbiologists, clinicians, biomedical engineers, environmental microbiologists, veterinarians, and industrialists to implement this project in Nigeria, West Africa, and also Rwanda, East Africa, to provide data with geographic representation for Africa.
Upon successful completion of this program, we would have utilized the data science platform for bacteria genomics and antimicrobial resistance to raise awareness on the scope of AMR in Africa, provide novel pathways for optimizing empirical use of antibiotics, and trained a handful of young African scientists in bacterial genomics and bioinformatics.
Preliminary observations from Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, include the following:
A) High prevalence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) with a 45% prevalence of multidrug resistance.
B) High prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) bloodstream infections.
C) Maternal colonization by ESBL-E in women at delivery is associated with high all-cause morbidity and mortality in their newborn babies compared to ESBL-unexposed babies.
D) Periodic outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis in newborn units with case fatality rates as high as 45%.
We have preliminary molecular characterization of about 500 of the 2,750 diverse bloodstream bacterial isolates in our collection. In addition, we have access to a collection of over 2,500 clinical isolates of blood, sputum, and urine from our sentinel laboratories in Nigeria and Rwanda that are partially characterized. Our unique observations related to AMR genes that we have identified in our archived isolates form the basis for this research proposal.
Our overall strategy in this application focuses on three thematic areas:
1) Comparative phenotypic and genotypic studies of archived and contemporary clinical isolates to inform trends in AMR and dynamics of transmission.
2) Incorporation of acute inflammatory markers of serious bacterial infection and gene products from resistant bacteria into a portable screening tool for clinical care.
3) Explore the potential benefit of an aminoglycoside (tobramycin) conjugated to an antimicrobial peptide for enhanced bactericidal activity against multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriales.
We have assembled a multidisciplinary team of clinical and molecular microbiologists, clinicians, biomedical engineers, environmental microbiologists, veterinarians, and industrialists to implement this project in Nigeria, West Africa, and also Rwanda, East Africa, to provide data with geographic representation for Africa.
Upon successful completion of this program, we would have utilized the data science platform for bacteria genomics and antimicrobial resistance to raise awareness on the scope of AMR in Africa, provide novel pathways for optimizing empirical use of antibiotics, and trained a handful of young African scientists in bacterial genomics and bioinformatics.
Awardee
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Nigeria
Geographic Scope
Foreign
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 2040% from $300,000 to $6,419,538.
Redeemer's University was awarded
Combatting AntiMicrobial Resistance in Africa Using Data Science (CAMRA)
Cooperative Agreement U54TW012056
worth $6,419,538
from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in September 2021 with work to be completed primarily in Nigeria.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 9 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.310 Trans-NIH Research Support.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Research Hubs (U54 Clinical Trial Optional).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 9/24/25
Period of Performance
9/15/21
Start Date
6/30/26
End Date
Funding Split
$6.4M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$6.4M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to U54TW012056
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
U54TW012056
SAI Number
U54TW012056-4135031786
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NA00 NIH OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Awardee UEI
JE9TT48NRNE5
Awardee CAGE
SRP35
Performance District
Not Applicable
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0846) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $1,461,345 | 60% |
| National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0885) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $600,000 | 25% |
| John E. Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0819) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $380,505 | 16% |
Modified: 9/24/25