Understanding how Cryptosporidium parasites reproduce
Sexual Development of Cryptosporidium
This project aims to understand how the Cryptosporidium parasite, which causes severe diarrhea, reproduces to help find new ways to stop infections, especially for vulnerable patients like those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, or cancer, and young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090368 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes severe diarrhea, especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, or cancer, and also for young children globally. This parasite completes its life cycle, including both asexual and sexual reproduction, within the human intestine, and this process is essential for the infection to continue and spread. Researchers are using advanced tools to observe and control the parasite's sexual development. The goal is to uncover the genetic and cellular mechanisms that guide the parasite's reproduction, including how it decides between male and female forms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who suffer from severe diarrheal disease caused by Cryptosporidium, particularly those with weakened immune systems or young children, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this basic research.
Not a fit: Patients whose diarrheal disease is not caused by Cryptosporidium or who do not have a weakened immune system may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies by targeting the parasite's ability to reproduce, thereby stopping the infection and reducing severe diarrheal disease.
How similar studies have performed: While the basic biology of Cryptosporidium has been studied, this project focuses on specific, detailed mechanisms of sexual development using advanced techniques, representing a novel approach to understanding its life cycle.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Striepen, Boris — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Striepen, Boris
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.