Methods to grow Babesia microti in the lab
In vitro culture of Babesia microti
This project is developing lab methods to culture the Babesia microti parasite so researchers can find better treatments for people with babesiosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262902 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to create ways to keep B. microti growing continuously outside the body by trying two main approaches: growing parasite stages inside tick cell lines and supporting parasite replication using red blood cell (erythrocyte) lysate substrates. They will examine whether sporozoites or kinetes from ticks can be propagated in existing tick cell cultures and whether merozoites can replicate without intact erythrocytes. The team will use phylogenetic metabolomics and their experience in tick biology, parasite maintenance, population genetics, and clinical care to guide these experiments. Success would also enable new genetic tools for the parasite that could speed drug testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with babesiosis—especially those with relapsing or drug-resistant infections—are the population most likely to benefit from these lab advances and could be future candidates for related clinical studies.
Not a fit: Patients without babesiosis or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to see direct benefit from this laboratory-focused work in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could let scientists test drugs and genetic approaches more efficiently, speeding development of better therapies for relapsing or drug-resistant babesiosis.
How similar studies have performed: Long-term culture of B. microti has largely failed historically, so using tick cell lines and erythrocyte lysates guided by metabolomics represents a relatively novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Telford, Sam R — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Telford, Sam R
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.