How African sleeping sickness parasites build and shape their cell skeleton
Biogenesis of the Trypanosoma brucei subpellicular microtubule array
This work looks at how the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness builds and splits its internal microtubule skeleton, aiming to reveal weak points that could lead to new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166596 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists are examining two parasite proteins (called KLIF and PAVE1) that help shape and divide the parasite’s internal microtubule array. They will use molecular tagging, lab-grown parasites, biochemical tests, and high-resolution microscopy to watch how the array is organized and duplicated during parasite cell division. In the lab, researchers test how KLIF bundles microtubules and how PAVE1 contributes to the parasite’s tapered shape. The goal is to find parasite-specific mechanisms that could become targets for future drugs or other therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Trypanosoma brucei infection (African sleeping sickness) or those living in endemic regions could be future candidates to benefit from therapies developed based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated conditions or diseases caused by different parasites (for example Trypanosoma cruzi/Chagas disease) are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify parasite-specific components needed for survival and division that become targets for new treatments against African sleeping sickness.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory approaches have successfully uncovered parasite proteins and mechanisms, but turning such basic discoveries into effective treatments remains early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Graffenried, Christopher Luis — Brown University
- Study coordinator: De Graffenried, Christopher Luis
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.