Molecular and Metabolic Adaptations of Intracellular Parasitism
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11535464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how certain parasites living inside human cells use unique metabolic tricks to survive, with the aim of finding vulnerabilities that could lead to new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2026 |
| Project end | December 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $38,637 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM161383-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with infections caused by intracellular parasites (e.g., Plasmodium) and those at risk for related diseases may benefit from advances derived from this research.
✕Less likely to help
The study is basic science and not a clinical trial; individual patients would not enroll or directly benefit from participation in this project.
What this research studies
This project explores how organelles like mitochondria function in humans and in intracellular parasites such as Plasmodium, focusing on unusual proteins and pathways that support parasite growth inside cells. By examining the divergent acyl carrier proteins and the apicoplast within these parasites, the work seeks to uncover new metabolic dependencies that could be targeted therapeutically. The research combines molecular biology and biochemistry to map how these organisms maintain essential processes while living inside human cells. Understanding these mechanisms could reveal pathogen-specific weaknesses and guide the development of novel interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of parasite metabolism could lead to new strategies to treat diseases caused by intracellular parasites.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that parasite-specific metabolic vulnerabilities can be targeted, supporting the potential of this approach, though each target requires validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sigala, Paul a — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Sigala, Paul a
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.