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Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Targeting the Pathogen within the Arthropod Vector

National Institutes of Health

This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) invites applications to stimulate multidisciplinary research to better understand pathogen/vector interactions to identify approaches to prevent pathogen transmission to the vertebrate host.

Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of all infectious diseases world-wide causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. Arthropod vectors transmit viruses, bacteria, parasites, and nematodes to humans resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates in endemic countries. Interventions to control some of these diseases have focused on the human host ( e.g. , therapeutics, vaccines) or the insect host ( e.g. , insecticides). Although these approaches have had some impact, these measures have not achieved sufficient levels of control to prevent and/or eliminate transmission of these diseases. There is a need to develop novel approaches that are effective, environmentally safe, and do not promote the development of resistance. Examples of novel approaches include, but are not limited to:

Targeting the pathogen within the arthropod vector;
Using transgenics targeting ligand/receptor molecules in the pathogen/vector or that hinder development of the pathogen in the vector;
Using vector symbionts to hamper pathogen development and/or transmission to the vertebrate host;
Using ‘omics data and computational methodologies to identify likely targets.

Successful approaches that target the pathogen within the arthropod vector could be used in combination with therapeutics, vaccines and traditional vector control interventions as a multipronged approach to control and eliminate the transmission of vector-borne pathogens.

Advancements in understanding pathogen/vector interactions are paramount to identifying and exploiting approaches that inhibit transmission of vector-borne diseases. Establishing multidisciplinary collaborations across vector, pathogen, and/or associated fields is an opportunity to advance the science.

This notice applies to due dates on or after February 5, 2023 and subsequent receipt dates through January 7, 2026 .

NOT-AI-22-074