How Toxoplasma switches into its hidden (latent) form through metabolism and protein tagging
Official title: Regulation of latent stage differentiation through central carbon metabolism and ubiquitination
Funded at Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res · NIH-11250995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis changes its metabolism and uses ubiquitination to hide as a latent infection, which could help people at risk of vision loss or reactivation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Parkville, AUSTRALIA) |
| Project start | December 5, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $520,009 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172823-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11250995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with past or chronic Toxoplasma infection, those with ocular toxoplasmosis, and immunocompromised patients at risk for reactivation would be most directly relevant to future trials stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without Toxoplasma infection or those needing immediate treatment for an acute infection are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused project.
What this research studies
The team studies Toxoplasma parasites in the lab to find which carbon metabolism pathways let the parasite switch into latent forms. They mimic the nutrient environments of muscle and the brain and use whole-genome CRISPR screens to find parasite enzymes needed for differentiation. They also examine how ubiquitination (a protein-tagging process) controls metabolic changes that let the parasite persist. Results will be used to map the pathways that keep parasites latent and to reveal possible drug targets to clear latent infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal drug targets to treat or clear latent Toxoplasma and reduce vision loss and dangerous reactivations in vulnerable people.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have shown metabolic differences in Toxoplasma, but applying whole-genome CRISPR screens to latent-stage metabolism and the role of ubiquitination is relatively new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
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Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res
Parkville, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tonkin, Chris — Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res
- Study coordinator: Tonkin, Chris
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.