Research in the Tong Lab

Approaches to overcome high threat viral, bacterial and fungal infections

The challenges of global infectious diseases are more acute than ever, as high threat pathogens cause extensive morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide. Relatedly, epidemics of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial and fungal infections also result in excessive deaths and impose large costs to healthcare systems and society. Increasingly, patients with underlying immunosuppression resulting from cancer, transplantation, premature birth, burns, HIV/AIDS or other debilitating conditions are at high risk of developing high threat opportunistic infections. Drug resistance has emerged prominently among hospital and community associated Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial ESKAPE pathogens, as well sexually transmitted diseases like Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and invasive fungal pathogens (Candida glabrata, Candida auris, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Aspergillus fumigatus). At least 2.8 million Americans acquire serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, resulting in 35,000 deaths adding billions in healthcare costs. Priority solutions to these global health emergencies include more effective diagnostics, the development of novel drug classes, vaccines, and a more comprehensive understanding of underlying disease development. The Perlin lab over the past 25 years has been actively engaged in developing novel solutions to prevent and overcome infections due to deadly bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens including the development of novel anti-infectives and diagnostics. Furthermore, they have been highly engaged in elucidating the mechanistic basis of microbial and host-induced drug tolerance and resistance leading to therapeutic failures for a variety of pathogens.

Current Grants

2 R01 AI109025-05 Perlin (PI) 07/01/2018 – 06/30/23 NIH/NIAID.
Critical Factors Influencing Echinocandin Resistance in Candida glabrata.

1U19AI1714010 Perlin (co-PI), Rice (co-PI) 05/17/2022 – 5/16/2027 NIH/NIAID
Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator

1U19AI142731-01 Perlin (PI) 4/01/19 – 3/31/24 NIH/NIAID
Center to develop innovative therapeutics to multidrug resistant high-threat bacterial agents

1 R01 AI138986-01 Perlin (PI) 05/01/2018 – 5/31/2023 NIH/NIAID
Novel bi-specific immunoprophylactics against multi drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.

1 R01 AI141183-01 Perlin (PI) 12/01/2018 – 11/30/23 NIH/NIAID
Novel bi-specific immunotherapeutic against high-threat Gram-negative pathogens

3U19AI142731-02S1 Perlin (PI) 08/25/2020 – 04/30/2024 NIH/NIAID
A CETR-based partnership accelerator for rapid drug development targeting SARS-CoV-2 and pan-CoVs

Recent Awards

2019, 2020, 2022 – RO1-NJ top influencer in healthcare in New Jersey

2020, 2021 – Outstanding Scientist in New Jersey, Edward J. Ill Excellence in Medicine

2021 Top 25 National Innovator by Modern Healthcare

2022 Top 25 Notable Health Care Leader by Crain’s New York Business

2023 Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation and Leadership