Molecular control of RNA transcription termination in trypanosomes
Official title: Molecular analysis of transcription termination by RNA polymerase II in trypanosomatids
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11450270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how RNA transcription ends in the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, with potential relevance to new antiparasitic strategies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $675,790 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI195646-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with African sleeping sickness or related trypanosomatid infections could benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to future antiparasitic treatments or in regions without parasite exposure may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Georgia will explore how trypanosomes regulate RNA polymerase II transcription termination, focusing on base J, a histone variant, and proteins involved in termination. The work uses parasite models to uncover epigenetic mechanisms that influence parasite survival and virulence. Findings could guide development of new treatments that disrupt parasite gene expression and reduce disease burden in people affected by African sleeping sickness and related diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new antiparasitic targets and therapies that disrupt parasite gene regulation and improve outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that altering transcription termination components affects parasite viability and virulence, supporting a plausible path to new therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabatini, Robert S — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Sabatini, Robert S
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.