How parasites like Babesia divide inside human cells
Official title: Comparative systems biology of apicomplexan cell division
Funded at Boston College · NIH-11372832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how apicomplexan parasites, including Babesia, replicate inside host cells to uncover why infections occur and how to stop them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,023,392 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI167570-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Babesia infection or related apicomplexan infections could indirectly benefit from discoveries that hinder parasite growth.
✕Less likely to help
People without these infections may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses a comparative systems biology approach to map how different apicomplexan parasites carry out cell division. By comparing species and life stages, scientists aim to identify the gene networks and modules that drive division and replication. The effort will integrate transcriptional signals, regulatory factors, and the assembly of new parasite cells to understand why division varies so much across parasites. Insights from this work could point to new targets to prevent parasite propagation in human infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new targets to interrupt parasite replication and reduce disease severity in Babesia and related infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in related parasites have started to reveal how division modes are controlled, supporting a credible path forward for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gubbels, Marc-Jan — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Gubbels, Marc-Jan
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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.