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Pathogen Genomics
Introduction
Genomic Initiatives
Research Resources
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Conference Proceedings
News Releases
Introduction
In 1995, the first microbe sequencing project, Haemophilus influenzae (a
bacterium causing upper respiratory infection) was
completed with a speed that
stunned scientists. Encouraged by the success of
that initial effort, researchers have continued to
sequence an astonishing array of other medically
important microbes. NIAID has made significant investments
in large-scale sequencing projects and includes projects
to sequence the complete genomes of many
pathogens, including the bacteria that cause tuberculosis,
gonorrhea, chlamydia and cholera and organisms that
are considered agents of bioterrorism. In addition,
NIAID collaborates with other funding agencies
to
sequence larger genomes of protozoan pathogens such
as the organism causing malaria.
The availability of microbial and human DNA sequence will open up new
opportunities and allow scientists to examine functional analysis of genes and
proteins in whole genomes and cells, as well as the host immune response and an
individuals' genetic susceptibility to pathogens. When scientists identify
microbial genes that play a role in disease, drugs can be designed to block the
activities controlled by those genes. Because most genes contain the
instructions for making proteins, drugs can be designed to inhibit specific
proteins, or to use those proteins as candidates for vaccine testing. Genetic
variations can also be used to study the spread of a virulent or drug-resistant
form of a pathogen.
NIAID has launched initiatives to provide comprehensive genomic, proteomic,
and bioinformatic resources. These resources are available to scientists
conducting basic and applied research on organisms considered agents
of bioterrorism and causing emerging and re-emerging diseases.
Please direct inquiries about NIAID's Pathogen Genomics programs to
Dr. Maria
Y. Giovanni, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID.
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Genomic Initiatiaves
- NIAID's Microbial Sequencing
Centers
are state-of-the-art high throughput DNA sequencing centers
that can sequence genomes of microbes and invertebrate vectors of infectious
diseases. Genomes that can be sequenced include microorganisms considered agents of bioterrorism and those responsible for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. For more information, contact: Dr.
Maria Giovanni.
Find out who received this award.
Read the original solicitation.
- NIAID's Pathogen Functional Genomics Resource Center is
a centralized facility that provides scientists with the resources and
reagents necessary to conduct functional genomics research on human
pathogens and invertebrate vectors. The PFGRC provides scientists with genomic resources and reagents such as microarrays, protein expression clones, genotyping and bioinformatics services. The PFGRC supports the training of scientists in the latest techniques in functional genomics and emerging genomic technologies.For more information, contact: Dr. Maria Giovanni.
Find out who received this award.
Read the original solicitation.
- NIAID's Proteomics Centers. The primary goal of these proteomics centers is to characterize the pathogen and/or host cell proteome by identifying proteins associated with the biology of the microbes, mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, innate and adaptive immune responses to infectious agents, and/or non-immune mediated host responses that contribute to microbial pathogenesis. It is anticipated that the research programs will discover targets for potential candidates for the next generation of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. This will be accomplished by using existing proteomics technologies, augmenting existing technologies, and/or creating novel proteomics approaches as well as performing early stage validation of these targets. For more information, contact: Dr.
Joseph Breen.
Read the original solicitation.
- NIAID's Bioinformatics Resource Centers will design, develop, maintain, and continuously update multi-organism databases, especially those related to biodefense. Organisms of particular interest are the NIAID Category A-C priority pathogens and those causing emerging and re-emerging diseases. The ultimate goal is to establish databases that will allow scientists to access a large amount of genomic and related data. This will facilitate the identification of potential targets for the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. Each contract will include establishing and maintaining an analysis resource that will serve as a companion to the databases for providing, developing and enhancing standard and advanced analytical tools to help researchers access and analyze data. For more information, contact: Valentina Di Francesco.
Read the original solicitation.
- Large-Scale Genome
Sequencing Projects Currently Supported by NIAID
- NIGMS Research Funding: Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) -- PSI Centers Funded by NIGMS/NIAID:
- TB Structural Genomics Consortium
A collaboration of scientists in six countries formed to determine and analyze
the structures of about 400 proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The group
seeks to optimize the technical and managerial underpinnings of high-throughput
structure determination and will develop a database of structures and
functions. NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which
is co-funding this project with NIGMS, anticipates that this information also
will lead to the design of new and improved drugs and vaccines for
tuberculosis.
Principal investigator: Thomas Terwilliger, Los Alamos National
Laboratory
- Structural Genomics of Pathogenic Protozoa
Consortium
This group aims to develop new ways to solve protein structures from organisms
kown as protozoans, many species of which cause deadly diseases such as
sleeping sickness, malaria, and Chagas' disease.
Principal investigator: Wim G. J. Hol, University of Washington
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Research Resources
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Fact Sheets, Publications, and Conference Proceedings
News Releases
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June 23, 2003 - NIAID Offers
"SARS Chip" Free to Researchers
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November 29, 2001 – NIAID Takes
Next Genome Step
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August 8, 2001 – NIAID Awards
Grant to Rapidly Sequence the Malaria Mosquito Genome
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April 9, 2001 – Scientists Sequence
Genome of Strep Throat, Scarlet Fever Bacterium
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March 5, 2001 – Statement of Anthony S.
Fauci, M.D. Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Anopheles
gambiae Genome Sequencing Project
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Jan. 24, 2001 – Gene Sequence of
Deadly E. coli Reveals Surprisingly Dynamic Genome
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Jan. 24, 2001 – Clinical
Study Confirms Single Gene Change in Chloroquine-Resistant Malaria
DMID Press Releases
NIAID Newsroom
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