Understanding how Toxoplasma parasites build their cell structure
Official title: How to build a rib cage for a cell: the patterning, growth, and maturation of the cortical microtubules in Toxoplasma
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11140810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma grows and develops, focusing on its important structures that help it multiply, which could help us find better ways to treat the diseases it causes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project start | April 22, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $563,513 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI184433-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals affected by diseases caused by Toxoplasma, such as those with compromised immune systems or pregnant women.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to Toxoplasma or other apicomplexan infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular architecture of Toxoplasma, a unicellular parasite responsible for diseases like toxoplasmosis. By examining the growth and arrangement of cortical microtubules, which are essential for the parasite's replication, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that guide their development. The approach combines molecular genetics and advanced microscopy techniques to analyze how these structures differ in mature and growing parasites. This could provide insights into how these parasites thrive and potentially lead to new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating diseases caused by Toxoplasma and similar parasites.
How similar studies have gone: While the study of Toxoplasma's cellular structures is ongoing, this specific approach to understanding cortical microtubule development is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Tempe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Ke — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Hu, Ke
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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.