Accelerate Development of New Therapies for Childhood Cryptosporidium Infection (Round 18)
Diarrhea caused by infection with Cryptosporidium species (primarily Cryptosporidium hominis or C. parvum) is becoming increasingly appreciated as a major contributor to diarrhea morbidity and mortality in children in the developing world.
This call is soliciting new tools and technologies that have potential i) to overcome the technical barriers in working with Cryptosporidium that have historically hampered progress, and ii) to improve our ability to develop and translate active compounds into effective therapies for treatment of pediatric cryptosporidiosis.
The goal of this call is to develop broadly applicable approaches that can be used to accelerate development of therapeutic interventions, rather than to support the development of specific interventions themselves.
Examples of projects -
- New methods for the identification and validation of drug targets in Cryptosporidium,as well as methods for interrogating validated targets within the context of whole cell phenotypic assays (e.g. target-based reporter assays);
- Novel methods for genetic manipulation of the Cryptosporidium genome, particularly those that allow regulated gene expression;
- Systematic approaches to explore opportunities for host-directed therapies, based on a rational understanding of parasite metabolism and parasite/host interactions;
- Validation of small animal disease models that are more tractable than the calf or gnotobiotic piglet, but which model human infection and disease (particularly valuable if immunocompetent and/or supportive of C. hominis infection);
Deadline - 9 November 2016
Budget - Phase I grants will be for $100,000 USD for a grant period of 18 months. Phase I projects that show promise will be eligible to apply for follow-on funding, called "Phase II".
Eligibility - There is no geographical restriction for applicants. The foundation encourages scientists worldwide to submit their ideas.
Full details - http://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/accelerate-development-new-therapies-childhood-cryptosporidium-infection-round-18
