Understanding how the body fights Toxoplasma gondii infection
Official title: Role of reactive oxygen species in controlling T. gondii acute infection
Funded at California State Poly U Pomona · NIH-11143732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how our immune cells, called neutrophils, use special chemicals to fight off the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which can cause serious illness in some people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State Poly U Pomona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pomona, United States) |
| Project start | July 24, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $182,452 |
| NIH project number | 5R16AI184345-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding a disease that affects individuals worldwide, especially those who are immunocompromised or pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have or are not at risk for Toxoplasma gondii infection would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite that can lead to toxoplasmosis, a disease that is usually mild but can be life-threatening for those with weakened immune systems or unborn babies. Our bodies have immune cells called neutrophils that rush to the site of infection, but we don't fully understand how they work against this parasite. This project aims to discover the specific steps and signals that trigger neutrophils to produce 'reactive oxygen species' (ROS), which are chemicals that can kill the parasite. By learning which parts of the parasite neutrophils recognize and how they activate these killing chemicals, we hope to find new ways to help the body fight this infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or vaccines for toxoplasmosis by enhancing the body's natural ability to fight the parasite.
How similar studies have gone: While it is known that neutrophils produce reactive oxygen species, the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms for how they kill Toxoplasma gondii are largely unknown, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
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California State Poly U Pomona
Pomona, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lima, Tatiane S. — California State Poly U Pomona
- Study coordinator: Lima, Tatiane 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.