Understanding how parasitic worms sense oxygen
Official title: Oxygen sensation in human-parasitic skin-penetrating nematodes
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10884873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a tiny worm that can cause illness in people senses oxygen, which is important for its survival, and it hopes to find new ways to treat strongyloidiasis, a disease that affects many people around the world, especially in places with fewer resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $43,796 |
| NIH project number | 5F30AI179222-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals infected with Strongyloides stercoralis, particularly those in resource-limited settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with Strongyloides stercoralis or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the parasitic threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis detects oxygen, which is crucial for its survival and ability to infect humans. By using advanced molecular neuroscience techniques, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind oxygen sensation in these worms. This could lead to new treatments for strongyloidiasis, a disease affecting millions worldwide, particularly in resource-poor settings. The research will explore the behavior and biology of the worms in different oxygen environments to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatments for strongyloidiasis, improving health outcomes for millions of infected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on oxygen sensation in S. stercoralis is novel, similar approaches in studying sensory mechanisms in other parasitic organisms have shown promise.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walsh, Breanna M. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Walsh, Breanna M.
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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.