How certain parasites sense oxygen and affect infection
Protist Oxygen Sensing in Human Disease Protist Oxygen Sensing in Human Disease
This work looks at whether oxygen-sensing systems in Toxoplasma parasites control their growth and ability to cause infection in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11112361 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study Toxoplasma (a parasite that can infect people) and a related organism to learn how they detect and respond to oxygen. They manipulate parasite enzymes called prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and track biochemical changes to a protein called Skp1. Experiments combine genetics, biochemistry, cell culture, and animal infection models to see how these changes affect parasite growth in low- and high-oxygen environments. The goal is to find parasite-specific processes that could be targeted without harming human cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with toxoplasmosis or those at higher risk (for example, pregnant people or immunocompromised individuals) might be most relevant to follow related clinical research or consider future sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients with health issues unrelated to parasitic infections are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new parasite-specific targets for drugs or therapies that weaken or block Toxoplasma infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies altering parasite oxygen-sensing enzymes have reduced Toxoplasma growth and virulence, but turning those findings into human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blader, Ira J — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Blader, Ira J
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.