How dormant Toxoplasma parasites survive and how to target them
Metabolic basis for the persistence of dormant Toxoplasma gondii infection
This work looks at how the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis uses sugar from our cells to stay hidden in the brain so researchers can find ways to clear it for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222663 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is studying dormant Toxoplasma parasites that hide inside thick-walled cysts in brain cells and how those parasites rely on host glucose to survive. They will use lab models of infected neurons and animal experiments to track parasite metabolism and test what happens when glucose use is blocked. The researchers will examine cyst formation, persistence, and the parasite's energy pathways to identify weak points. Results will be used to point toward drug targets that could remove dormant parasites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic Toxoplasma infection or those at high risk for reactivation (for example, people with HIV/AIDS or on immunosuppressive therapy) would be the most likely candidates to benefit from future therapies stemming from this work.
Not a fit: People without Toxoplasma infection or those with only acute, actively replicating infection may not benefit from treatments aimed specifically at dormant cysts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that clear dormant Toxoplasma cysts and reduce the risk of reactivation, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
How similar studies have performed: While several drugs work against active Toxoplasma, very few approaches have successfully cleared dormant bradyzoite cysts, so this metabolism-focused approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bzik, David J — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Bzik, David 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.