How Leishmania flagella proteins help the parasite infect and survive
Function and Trafficking of Flagellar Membrane Proteins in Leishmania mexicana
Researchers are examining how proteins on the surface of Leishmania flagella move and help parasites that cause leishmaniasis, aiming to inform better treatments for people affected by these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11369836 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses lab-grown Leishmania parasites and molecular tools to trace which proteins go to the flagellar membrane and how they are transported. Scientists will tag and alter proteins like KHARON and the glucose transporter GT1 to see how changes affect parasite movement, survival inside host cells, and ability to transmit. Experiments will include protein localization, affinity methods, and tests of parasite function in cell-based models. The goal is to link specific flagellar membrane proteins to the parasite's ability to cause disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or past leishmaniasis or those willing to donate clinical samples would be most relevant for future related studies, though this project itself is laboratory-based.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new molecular targets that lead to drugs or vaccines against leishmaniasis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior basic studies of flagellar components in kinetoplastid parasites have identified essential proteins and suggested potential targets, but direct translation into new treatments has been limited so far.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Landfear, Scott M — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Landfear, Scott M
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.