How the sleeping‑sickness parasite’s mitochondrial genes work
Mitochondrial DNA of Normal and Mutant Trypanosomes
This project looks at how the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness edits its mitochondrial genetic messages in the forms that infect people and in insect stages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325280 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will examine three protein complexes that edit mitochondrial RNA in Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite responsible for African sleeping sickness. They will map which proteins and RNA pieces interact using lab techniques such as proximity labeling, protein cross‑linking, and affinity purification, and then build structural models. The researchers will create specific mutations to see which steps are essential for RNA editing and use sequencing to read the edited messages. They will compare the bloodstream form (the stage that infects people) with the insect form to find differences that might be targeted by new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people infected with Trypanosoma brucei (African sleeping sickness) or those at risk of exposure.
Not a fit: People without African sleeping sickness or with unrelated health conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal parasite‑specific weaknesses that guide development of new drugs to stop the infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory research has identified key RNA‑editing enzymes in trypanosomes, but detailed mapping of multiple editing complexes and life‑stage differences at this scale is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Seattle Children's Hospital — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stuart, Kenneth D — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Stuart, Kenneth D
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.