Understanding how Toxoplasma parasites change during latency
Official title: Regulation of latent stage differentiation through central carbon metabolism and ubiquitination
Funded at Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res · NIH-10996149 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a parasite called Toxoplasma can stay hidden in the body and what makes it wake up, especially in people with weakened immune systems, to help find better ways to treat infections caused by it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Parkville, AUSTRALIA) |
| Project start | December 5, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $504,409 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172823-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996149 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are immunocompromised or those who have been diagnosed with Toxoplasma infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Toxoplasma infections or are not immunocompromised may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the latent stage of Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe health issues, including blindness. It focuses on how changes in carbon metabolism and the process of ubiquitination affect the parasite's ability to remain dormant and potentially reactivate in immunocompromised individuals. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR screening, the study aims to identify key metabolic pathways that support the parasite's survival in different tissues, particularly in muscle and the central nervous system. The findings could lead to new treatment strategies for managing latent Toxoplasma infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for latent Toxoplasma infections, reducing the risk of severe complications like blindness.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting metabolic pathways in Toxoplasma latency is novel, similar research in other parasitic infections has shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res
Parkville, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tonkin, Chris — Walter and Eliza Hall Inst Medical Res
- Study coordinator: Tonkin, Chris
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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.