Finding new ways to disrupt glucose metabolism in harmful parasites
Development of a multiplexed assay in kinetoplastid parasites to identify probes for glycolysis
['FUNDING_R01'] · CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · NIH-10812589
This study is looking at how certain parasites, like those that cause sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis, use sugar to live and grow, and it aims to find new medicines that can stop them by blocking their sugar intake.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEMSON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10812589 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain parasites, like Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp., use glucose for their survival and development. By using a novel screening assay that involves live parasites, researchers aim to identify small molecules that can inhibit glucose uptake and metabolism in these organisms. This approach will involve testing a large collection of compounds to find effective inhibitors, which could lead to new treatments for parasitic infections. The goal is to fill the gaps in our knowledge about parasite biology and develop targeted therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites, such as African sleeping sickness or leishmaniasis.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by other types of parasites not related to kinetoplastids may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antiparasitic drugs that effectively target glucose metabolism in harmful parasites.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting glucose metabolism in parasites is innovative, similar strategies have shown promise in other areas of antiparasitic drug development.
Where this research is happening
CLEMSON, UNITED STATES
- CLEMSON UNIVERSITY — CLEMSON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MORRIS, JAMES CULVIN — CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MORRIS, JAMES CULVIN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.