Understanding how the parasite causing African Sleeping Sickness grows
Regulation of cell cycle transitions by cyclin-dependent kinase in trypanosomes
This project explores how the parasite that causes African Sleeping Sickness controls its growth, hoping to find new ways to stop the infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11064851 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking closely at how the parasite responsible for African Sleeping Sickness manages its cell cycle, which is how it grows and multiplies. Understanding these growth controls is crucial because errors can lead to problems for the parasite, potentially making it vulnerable. Our work focuses on specific proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that are key to these processes. By learning more about these proteins and how they regulate the parasite's life cycle, we aim to uncover its weaknesses. This knowledge could help us develop new treatments to fight African Sleeping Sickness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future clinical trials stemming from this work would likely seek individuals diagnosed with African Sleeping Sickness.
Not a fit: Patients without African Sleeping Sickness would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this fundamental understanding could lead to the development of new drugs or therapies that specifically target the parasite's growth, offering new hope for patients with African Sleeping Sickness.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of targeting cell cycle regulation is known in other diseases, the specific mechanisms in *T. brucei* are still largely unknown, making this a novel exploration in this parasite.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Ziyin — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Li, Ziyin
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.