NIAID Site Search

It’s a finding perfect for spooky season—inside a bloodsucking insect, a parasite uses the blood of mammals to get more fit to infect unsuspecting people. In this case, the story is more troubling because it’s a real threat. The parasite is Leishmania, which causes leishmaniasis, a primarily tropical and subtropical disease that can cause skin lesions and organ damage, and can be fatal.

Published: October 25, 2023

NIAID supports basic research to understand the biology of microbes, their behavior and how they develop resistance and cause disease.

Last Reviewed: February 11, 2020

The NIAID strategic updated plan is structured around four strategic priorities that are critical to the development and evaluation of the knowledge and tools needed to end TB globally.

Last Reviewed: May 1, 2025

To advance research to understand and address HSV infection, the NIH has established the Strategic Plan for Herpes Simplex Virus Research. This plan aligns with ongoing national efforts.

Last Reviewed: May 1, 2025

Lenette Lu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Massachusetts General Hospital K08 sample application

Last Reviewed: March 31, 2025

Tuan Manh Tran, M.D., Ph.D., of the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis K08 sample application

Last Reviewed: March 31, 2025

Stella Kakeeto, M.B.A., Makerere University G11 sample application

Last Reviewed: March 31, 2025

Immunology Interest Group (IIG) Newsletter November 2024

Last Reviewed: December 4, 2024

National Institutes of Health scientists and their collaborators have identified an internal communication network in mammals that may regulate tissue repair and inflammation, providing new insights on how diseases such as obesity and inflammatory skin disorders develop. The new research is published in Cell. The billions of organisms living on body surfaces such as the skin of mammals

Published: June 23, 2021

Sample application from David Al-Adra MD, Ph.D., for NIH standard independent research project grant (K08).

Last Reviewed: September 13, 2024

The purpose of this study is to see if taking the study drug, Belumosudil, for 52 weeks in addition to your usual care and medication, will prevent Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD) in participants who have a lung biopsy that shows evidence of rejection or inflammation to the transplanted lung(s).

Last Reviewed: August 6, 2024

Last Reviewed: August 6, 2024

Generic Preclinical Development Plan for Human Monoclonal Antibodies

Last Reviewed: August 1, 2024

Sample application from Annukka Antar, M.D., Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University

Last Reviewed: August 5, 2024

Last Reviewed: March 28, 2024

For decades, scientists have wondered how different strains of prions can propagate when they do not carry their own genes with them as they move from host to host. A new study from NIAID researchers and colleagues reveals how differences in the folding of the primary protein of prions (PrP) can help determine the distinct characteristics of prion strains.

Published: July 13, 2022

NIAID experts and collaborators rapidly initiated scientifically rigorous clinical trials to evaluate the most promising candidate therapeutics for COVID-19. NIAID scientists and NIAID-supported researchers continue to conduct basic, translational and clinical research aimed at identifying effective therapeutics for early COVID-19 infection and for hospitalized patients with more advanced disease

Last Reviewed: July 31, 2024

Product Development Plan (PDP) for a Generic Prophylactic Vaccine for Infectious Diseases

Last Reviewed: September 30, 2023

The route a pathogen takes in causing infection can determine the severity of disease. NIAID scientists are looking at metabolism to determine how and why there is a difference.

Published: November 13, 2023

With ticks expanding their territories in many parts of the world, a NIAID research group has likewise expanded its promising vaccine research to two typically rare pathogens with potential for public health importance -- Kyasanur Forest disease and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever.

Published: September 7, 2023

Sample application from Nicole Putnam, Ph.D., for National Research Service Award (NRSA) individual fellowship (F31) grants.

Last Reviewed: January 25, 2023

With the 2023 NIAID Three-minute Talk (TmT) Competition and NIH Postbac Poster Day just around the corner, now is a great time to examine your skills as a presenter and strengthen any areas that need improvement. Check out these strategies for designing great presentations that are memorable and engaging.

Published: April 3, 2023

NIH scientists believe they have identified a protein, that allows the Salmonella bacteria to swim straight when they are ready to infect cells.

Published: January 13, 2021

Research findings showed that S. epidermidis produces enzymes, known as sphingomyelinase, that help the bacteria acquire nutrients and colonize the skin. But the bacterial enzymes also help the skin produce ceramides, which are important components of the outer skin layers that prevent drying and aging of the skin. Low ceramide levels contribute to many skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema.

Published: February 4, 2022