Unusual calcium channels in the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis
Divergent Calcium Channels of the Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii
The team is finding and understanding the calcium channels Toxoplasma gondii uses to control infection to help people at risk for toxoplasmosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258021 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study Toxoplasma gondii in the lab to find the proteins that let calcium signals trigger the parasite’s infection steps. They will use parasite cells, genetic tools, and live imaging of calcium levels to see which channels control invasion, growth, and spread. The team will disrupt those channels to test how that affects parasite survival and ability to cause disease. These experiments aim to point to specific molecules scientists could target with new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with toxoplasmosis or those at high risk—such as immunocompromised patients and pregnant people—would be the most likely candidates for future treatments that come from this work.
Not a fit: People without exposure to Toxoplasma or with unrelated health conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets to prevent or treat toxoplasmosis, especially for people with weakened immune systems or pregnant people.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting parasite ion channels has shown promise in other parasitic diseases, but identifying and targeting these specific calcium channels in T. gondii is a relatively new and untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moreno, Silvia N — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Moreno, Silvia N
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.