How apicomplexan parasites divide inside host cells
Regulation of apicomplexan mitosis coupled to budding
This project seeks to understand how parasites like the malaria-causing Plasmodium and Toxoplasma copy themselves inside human cells to help guide development of better treatments for those infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299052 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at the unusual way apicomplexan parasites replicate their DNA and produce daughter cells inside the host cell. Researchers focus on a combined S/G2/M/C phase of the parasite cell cycle rather than the traditional separate phases, and will map the proteins and structures that control budding and mitosis. The team uses parasite cultures, genetic manipulation, and high-resolution microscopy in the laboratory to watch and perturb division processes. By comparing different replication modes across species, they aim to pinpoint parasite-specific steps that could be drug targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant is laboratory-based and does not enroll patients, though future clinical work informed by these results would likely involve people with malaria (Plasmodium) or symptomatic toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma).
Not a fit: People without these infections or those seeking immediate clinical care should not expect direct or immediate benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new parasite-specific drug targets that lead to better treatments or preventives for malaria, toxoplasmosis, and related infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous basic research has identified parasite-specific division proteins that yielded promising leads, but the composite cell-cycle model used here is relatively novel and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suvorova, Elena — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Suvorova, Elena
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.