How the sleeping-sickness parasite changes mitochondrial RNA
Mitochondrial RNA Uridylation in Trypanosomes
Looks at how the parasite that causes sleeping sickness modifies RNA inside its mitochondria to help find new targets for treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247464 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work focuses on Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, and how it adds uridines to mitochondrial RNAs. Scientists will use high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy together with molecular biology, proteomics, and imaging to see the RNA-processing machines in action. The project will map how enzymes that add U's (TUTases) work with exonucleases and helicases to control RNA maturation and decay. By revealing the structure and partners of these complexes, the team hopes to expose weaknesses that drugs or vaccines could later target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with or at risk for African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are the patient group most directly related to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to parasitic infections would be unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding parasite RNA processing at atomic detail could point to new drug or vaccine targets to prevent or treat African trypanosomiasis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biochemical and genetic studies showed RNA uridylation matters, but this project applies new cryo-EM and proteomics methods to deliver higher-resolution structural and functional detail that is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Afasizhev, Ruslan — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Afasizhev, Ruslan
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.