Primary Research Areas
Bacterial Infections
DMID conducts research in basic bacteriology and mycology, including molecular structure and function, genetics, biochemical composition, and physiological and biochemical processes. Areas of particular interest include streptococci, pneumonia, nosocomial infections, fungal infections, antibiotic resistance, bacterial sexually transmitted diseases, and bacterial diarrheas. Studies of these pathogens extend basic insights to identify drug targets and antigens that might be candidates for vaccines, and and to examine mechanisms of infection, pathogenicity, and virulence.
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Biodefense
As concern grows about the use of biological agents in acts of terrorism and war, Federal agencies are evaluating and accelerating measures to protect the public from the health consequences of such attacks. Our ability to detect and prevent infections that emerge as a result of bioterrorist incidents depends to a large degree on the state of biomedical science. DMID supports NIH's Biodefense efforts and complements the efforts of other Federal agencies by funding and conducting research ranging from the basic biology of microbes (including those that could be intentionally introduced) and their interactions with the human immune system, to preclinical and clinical evaluation of new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
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Drug Development
DMID maintains a drug development program that supports research at three levels: drug discovery (disease pathogenesis, target identification, characterization, and screening), preclinical evaluation (testing in animal models of human infections), and clinical trials (evaluation of new therapies). For most pathogens, there are resources for target identification and validation, and for assay development. For selected viruses and pathogens such as TB, hepatitis B and C, and NIAID Biodefense Priority Pathogens, there are additional resources for acquiring compounds, conducting screening, performing in vitro and in vivo assays, evaluating animal efficacy and preliminary drug exposure studies, and performing safety testing and pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic analyses. DMID is involved with multiple public-private partnerships -- arrangements that innovatively combine skills and resources from institutions in the public and private sectors to advance drug development.
Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases
Despite remarkable advances in medical research and treatments, infectious diseases remain among the leading causes of death worldwide. This is due to the emergence of new infectious diseases, re-emergence of old infectious diseases, and the persistence of intractable diseases, sometimes because of drug resistance. In addition, the finding that chronic diseases may develop as sequelae of acute illnesses, the challenge of opportunistic infections, and the discovery of viral infections associated with cancers, are presenting new challenges for scientists.
DMID supports basic and clinical research, including microbial genome sequencing, to understand the pathogenesis, microbiology, and epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases with the goal of developing better diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. Examples include improving diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted diseases and Lyme disease, and developing markers to identify antimicrobial resistance.
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Global Health Research
Recognizing that infectious diseases spread without regard to national boundaries, international research in infectious diseases remains a high priority of DMID. The Division supports investigators studying all aspects of infectious pathogens that present, or potentially present, a significant threat to public health, including research ranging from basic biology and pathology to vaccine development and improved diagnostics.
One of the fundamental elements of the DMID/NIAID international program is its emphasis on strengthening research capacity, within the context of infectious diseases research, in endemic areas. To achieve this goal, DMID/NIAID participates in several global partnerships, including the establishment of research programs in tropical medicine, country-to-country bilateral agreements, interagency agreements with USAID, CDC, NASA, and the State Department, and multilateral programs with the WHO, UNICEF, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI), and the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM).
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Microbial Genomics
DMID funds projects to sequence the full genomes of medically important microbes. Genome sequencing can locate targets for vaccine and drug development, identify mutations that contribute to drug resistance, help trace microbial evolution, and provide information for forensic studies by differentiating among strains of organisms. Recently, NIAID has established many genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics resources, including the Pathogen Functional Genomics Resource Center, Microbial Sequencing Centers, Bioinformatics Resource Centers, Proteomics Research Centers, Structural Genomics Centers and Clinical Proteomics Centers.
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Parasitology
Research on parasites involves biochemical, genetic, and immunologic approaches to identify protective and diagnostic antigens and develop more effective drugs. In addition, studies of insect vectors are aimed at controlling the transmission of pathogens such as malaria, which are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Because parasitic and other tropical diseases are international health problems, the Division supports clinical studies in regions where these infections are endemic through the Tropical Medicine Research Centers and International Collaboration in Infectious Disease Research programs.
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Respiratory Diseases
The Division's Respiratory Diseases Program supports research aimed at more effective diagnosis, prevention, and treatment approaches to control respiratory infections. This includes: 1) developing vaccines and treatments; 2) understanding the long-term health impact that respiratory pathogens have in various populations; 3) stimulating basic research on the pathogenesis, immunity, and structural biology of these pathogens; and 4) developing better diagnostics. The Influenza, SARS, and Related Viral Infections Section and the Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Section are concentrated research areas within the program, designed to develop novel vaccines, therapeutics, and control methods to curb the global impact of these respiratory infections.
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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a critical global health priority for two reasons: their devastating impact on women and infants and their interrelationship with HIV and AIDS. Scientists now believe that people who have STIs are at an increased risk of contracting HIV. DMID's STI research emphasizes vaccine development as well as clinical, epidemiologic, and behavioral investigations to produce strategies for preventing STIs and conditions associated with STIs. These conditions include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer, fetal wastage, prematurity, congenital infection, and the spread of HIV. NIAID also supports a topical microbicide research effort to prevent STIs; this effort encompasses basic product development and clinical research.
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Vaccine Development
One of the primary goals of the Division is to develop new and improved vaccines and strategies for vaccine delivery for the entire spectrum of infectious agents: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Since 1981, DMID has supported a program for the accelerated development of new vaccines to direct advances in molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and epidemiology. An integral component of these efforts is the evaluation of vaccine safety, which is an important part of every vaccine clinical trial sponsored by NIAID.
Virology
DMID supports a broad spectrum of both basic and applied research in virology, from vaccine development and gene therapy to drug target identification and the study of viral-host interactions, especially those involved in pathogenesis and immune evasion. Basic information is being used to control the impact of significant viral diseases, such as polio, rabies, diseases caused by herpesviruses, emerging viral infections, and viruses important for biodefense, and to develop crucial public health tools, including antiviral therapeutics.
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