Friday, January 9, 2026 1/9/2026

Under-oil open microfluidic system (UOMS) for studying systemic fungal infection

Award Number: R01AI154940
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Under-oil open microfluidic system (UOMS) for studying systemic fungal infection - Project Summary/Abstract Opportunistic fungal pathogens are a leading cause of healthcare associated bloodstream infections. Candida yeasts, specifically, cause 80-90% of biofilm-associated invasive fungal infections and mortality rates can approach 50%. Furthermore, the incidence of Candida infections is rising with the increased use of catheter and other device-based interventions. To date, the majority of work related to fungal infections and potential treatments has focused on biofilms and their prevention. However, recent evidence suggests that the dispersion of yeast cells from the biofilm (into the bloodstream) and the persistence of these dispersed cells are perhaps more important virulence factors and represent significant but underutilized treatment targets. Further, existing assays and instrumentation are not amenable to measuring dispersion and phenotyping dispersed cells. Nor do they recapitulate in vivo conditions (e.g. flow, interaction with host cells). Thus, here we will develop a new type of under-oil open microfluidic system (UOMS) to quantify the dispersive capacity of biofilms and assess the phenotype of dispersed cells in Candida mutants and clinical isolates. The UOMS platform is built on the foundation of a newly observed phenomena called Exclusive Liquid Repellency (ELR). ELR provides a unique environment where liquid is completely repelled from a solid surface to eliminate biofouling. Additionally, ELR expands the capabilities of simple open microfluidic devices allowing us to overcome the limitations of current methods and provide a system capable of quantitatively studying fungal dispersion. We will first (Aim 1) develop an under-oil microchannel device to measure the dispersive capacity of Candida biofilms and virulence phenotypes. Second (Aim 2) we will automate the UOMS and develop a single- cell distribution assay to measure the phenotype of individual dispersed cells. And finally (Aim 3), we will use the UOMS platform to develop dispersion phenotype profiles for Candida mutant libraries and clinical isolates. We will measure the dispersive capacity and phenotype of dispersed cells from hundreds of Candida albicans clinical isolates and mutants available in existing libraries, providing clues to the genetic determinants of dispersion.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6301	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	12/23/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $746,996 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6301	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	1/8/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$746,996
														Subtotal = $746,996

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $770,838 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6301	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	4	1/4/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$693,754
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6301	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	4	5/23/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$77,084
														Subtotal = $770,838

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $770,838 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6301	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	1/12/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$770,838
														Subtotal = $770,838

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $764,178 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6301	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	1/19/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$764,178
														Subtotal = $764,178

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $728,353 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM	21 N PARK ST STE 6401	MADISON	WI	53715	DANE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	1/25/2021	NEW	$728,353
														Subtotal = $728,353

Grand Total All Awards = $3,781,203

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Under-oil open microfluidic system (UOMS) for studying systemic fungal infection

Award Number: R01AI154940

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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