Developmental Research Projects

The Great Lakes RCE also supports a Developmental Projects program. These projects are short, adventurous studies aimed at providing novel approaches to the study of disease and the development of new therapies against bioterror agents. Developmental Projects are directed by investigators in the region with excellent track records for research success. Currently, the Great Lakes RCE supports 17 Developmental Projects.

Developmental Project 28, 38 and 40: Anthrax

  • DP 28: Structural Basis of Selective Activation of the Anthrax-killing Enzyme PlyG Medical College of Wisconsin
  • DP 38: Search for Inhibitors of B. anthracis D-serine Deaminase University of wisconsin Madison
  • DP 40: Brr: Anthrax Master Switch.University of Minnesota

Developmental Project 34 and 41 : Pox viruses

  • DP 34: Role of NF-kB on Mokeypox Viruses Virulence University of Wisconsin
  • DP 41: Poxviral control of TNF: Identifying New Viral Targets for Therapeutics University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Developmental Project 32, 33 and 35: Tularemia

  • DP 32: Role of Francisella Oxidative Stress Genes in Intra-Marcrophage Survival University of Cincinnati
  • DP 33:Gallium as Therapy for F. Tularensis Infections University of Cincinnati
  • DP 35:Small-Molecule Autophagy-Inducing Agents Against Intracellular Pathogens Ohio State University

Developmental Projects 39 and 42: Ebola Fever

  • DP 39: Viral Mediated Mechanisms University of Illinois at Chicago
  • DP 42: Characterization of Ebolua Virus VP35 RNA Silencing Activity and Targets the Ohio State University

Developmental Project 36: Plague

  • DP36 Host Determinants Required for Target Cell Selection by Y. pestis Indiana University

Career Development Projects

The Great Lakes RCE invests in the careers of young scientists both for faculty or postdoctoral projects. There are currently 10 active Career Development Projects:

University of Chicago :

  • Role of Surface Cell Antigens (Sca) in SFG Rickettsia pathogenesis
  • Inhibition of Substrate Recognition by Y. pestis Type III Secretion System
  • Membrane Organization in Dengue Virus Replication

University of Michigan:

  • Innate Immunity and Alphavirus Neuropathogenesis
  • Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors and Novel Drug Targets for Norovirus
  • Discovery of Novels Inhibitors of Petrobactin Biosynthesis Production in Bacillus anthracis

University of Wisconsin

  • Phosphorylation in Flaviviral Hemorrhagic Fever

Medical College of Wisconsin

  • Identification of Francisella tularensis adhesins
  • Definition of Early Events in Phagosomal Modification by Francisella tularensis

Mayo Clinic

  • Identification of vaccinia-specific T Helper Epitopes after Samllpox Vaccination