Grant: Project Grant

Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that commonly causes infections in patients with weak immune systems and those with long-term lung disease. We have developed a vaccine that protects animals from lethal challenge with Aspergillus and propose to study how this vaccine stimulates the immune system to fight off this infection. Using this information we will modify and improve the vaccine and test its ability to protect animals with weak immune systems and lung disease from challenge with Aspergillus. The availability of a vaccine that protects humans from infection with this mold has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.