The Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) supports research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious diseases caused by virtually all infectious agents, except HIV. DMID supports a broad spectrum of research from basic molecular structure, microbial physiology, and pathogenesis to the development of new and improved vaccines and therapeutics. DMID also supports medical diagnostics research, which is defined as research to improve the quality of patient assessment and care that would result in implementing appropriate therapeutic or preventive measures. DMID does not support research directed at decontamination or the development of environmentally oriented detectors, whose primary purpose is identifying specific agents in the environment.
Below are the general research areas of interest to DMID. Examples of high-priority research areas include but are not limited to: antimicrobial resistance, influenza, malaria, and tuberculosis. For general application questions and to be directed to an appropriate subject matter expert within DMID, contact Barbara Mulach or M. Chelsea Lane.
Areas of Interest
- Identify and qualify infectious disease-related biomarkers, including:
- Biomarkers to predict susceptibility to infection and/or diagnose an infectious disease.
- Biomarkers to predict or monitor a subject’s response to therapeutics or vaccinations.
- Biomarkers from natural history studies that could be used to assess disease progression in acute and chronic diseases.
- Development of rapid, highly sensitive and specific clinical diagnostics that are easy to use, cost-effective, and can diagnose individuals infected with pathogens or individuals who have been exposed to toxins.
- Development of vaccines for infectious diseases.
- Development of vaccine enhancement and formulation technologies with the goal of providing protection against infectious disease agents, providing accelerated immune responses (more rapid schedules or reduced number of immunizations), increase ease of administration (e.g., self-administration), and increase product stability to minimize cold chain requirements.
- Discovery and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases.