News Release

Hebrew U. professor sharing $17.5-million Hughes research grant

To study flesh-eating bacteria

Grant and Award Announcement

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem



Prof. Emanuel Hanski

Full size image available here

Jerusalem –Prof. Emanuel Hanski, Jacob Epstein Professor of Bacteriology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, is one of 42 biomedical scientists from 20 countries who have been selected to receive major research grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of the U.S.

Nearly 500 scientists from 62 countries applied for the awards, which will provide each researcher funds for his or her work over a five-year period. Hanski's grant is for $400,000. Overall, the grants total $17.5 million.

The research being funded by the Hughes Medical Institute focuses on revealing the mysteries of the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying infectious and parasitic diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria, hemorrhagic fevers and anthrax.

Hanski's work involves study of invasive strains of group A streptococcus, which cause flesh-eating disease. He will focus on the identification of factors related to bacterial virulence and their mode of regulation, with the ultimate aim of paving the way towards better prevention and treatment of this life-threatening disease.

###

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.