Investigating how Toxoplasma uses host cell machinery for its growth
Official title: Defining a novel protein network for Toxoplasma repurposing of host ESCRT machinery
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11006354 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the Toxoplasma gondii parasite tricks our cells to help it grow faster, which could be really important for people with weakened immune systems, and it aims to find new ways to fight this parasite by understanding the proteins involved in this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 4, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $226,980 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180278-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006354 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with weakened immune systems or those affected by Toxoplasma infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Toxoplasma infections or are not immunocompromised may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii hijacks the host's cellular machinery, specifically the ESCRT protein complexes, to support its rapid growth. By utilizing advanced techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 screening and machine learning-driven image analysis, the study aims to identify new proteins that assist Toxoplasma in recruiting essential resources from infected cells. Understanding these mechanisms could provide insights into the parasite's behavior and its impact on individuals with weakened immune systems. The research focuses on the role of specific proteins in this process, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for diseases caused by Toxoplasma, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding host-pathogen interactions, making this approach promising but still novel in the context of Toxoplasma.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carruthers, Vernon Bruce — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Carruthers, Vernon Bruce
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.