How the sleeping‑sickness parasite controls production of its protective surface proteins
Control of VSG pre-mRNA processing in infectious Trypanosoma brucei
Researchers are learning how the sleeping‑sickness parasite makes and regulates the surface proteins that let it hide from the immune system, to help people and livestock in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158760 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks inside the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness to understand how it produces and processes the RNA that makes its protective surface coat (VSG proteins). Scientists study parasite life stages found in mammals and in tsetse flies, and use molecular and genetic lab techniques to track how RNA is cut and modified at the 3' end. The team manipulates specific RNA sequences and processing steps to see how those changes affect which VSG is shown on the parasite surface. Learning these molecular details helps point to possible weaknesses the parasite uses to evade immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in or recently returning from trypanosomiasis‑endemic areas, and livestock owners in affected regions, would be most relevant for sample donation or future clinical work.
Not a fit: People not at risk for African trypanosomiasis or with unrelated conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets for safer drugs or vaccine approaches to prevent or treat African sleeping sickness in people and cattle.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research established that VSG switching enables immune evasion, but the specific pre‑mRNA processing mechanisms targeted here are less understood and relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tschudi, Christian — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Tschudi, Christian
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.