Notre Dame Secured Grant for Screwworm Treatment
The university and a federal research group have funded a study into repurposing a human drug to combat livestock screwworm.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
Live Poll
Do you trust that repurposing human drugs is a safe way to manage livestock health threats?
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the University of Notre Dame have invested $140,389 to evaluate if nitisinone can treat New World screwworm. This project aims to address the threat this parasite poses to U.S. livestock production and agricultural trade.
Why it matters
New World screwworm remains a significant danger to wildlife and agricultural security, compounded by the fact that existing control methods have shown decreased effectiveness in South America. Researchers are exploring this FDA-approved human medication to determine if it can provide a viable new option for managing infestations.
The grant provides $140,389 in funding to support laboratory testing of the FDA-approved human drug nitisinone. Researchers are currently utilizing a closely related secondary screwworm species as a biological model to assess the drug's impact on fly growth and survival.
The players
University of Notre Dame
Located in South Bend, this university is conducting the study to explore new agricultural pest control methods.
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research
This organization is a federal-affiliated entity that provides funding for agricultural research initiatives.
The details
The research team is testing whether nitisinone, which works by blocking an enzyme blood-feeding arthropods use to digest blood, can successfully kill screwworm larvae and adults. By using a surrogate model, the scientists aim to establish foundational methods that will guide future primary trials and larger-scale studies.
Timeline
Over the last five years, prior research demonstrated that nitisinone successfully kills various other blood-feeding arthropods.
Culture Shift
This project aligns with a broader scientific trend of drug repurposing, where researchers look to existing, approved medications to solve challenges in veterinary and agricultural science. By bypassing the development phase for new molecules, this approach allows for faster investigation into controlling pests that threaten national food security.
This research has long-term implications for the regional agricultural economy by potentially providing a new tool to secure the domestic livestock supply chain. While it does not change daily routines, it serves as a foundational step toward protecting South Bend's broader agricultural and food trade interests.
The takeaway
Repurposing human medications for agricultural use represents a strategic path to overcoming resistance to traditional pest control methods. Implementing these findings could lead to more resilient livestock protection strategies that are essential for long-term agricultural stability.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in animal care and disease control by visiting the Veterinary Medicine section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that repurposing human drugs is a safe way to manage livestock health threats?
