Why some people may be more susceptible to mild Toxoplasma (toxoplasmosis) infections
Official title: Defining novel susceptibility mechanisms to low virulence Toxoplasma gondii strains using the Collaborative Cross and parasite genetics
Funded at University of California, Merced · NIH-11229613 · Data updated 2026-11-12
It looks for inherited genetic differences that might make some people more likely to become sick after infection with milder strains of Toxoplasma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, Merced NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Merced, United States) |
| Project start | November 8, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $158,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182890-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11229613 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This grant does not enroll people directly, but eventual human studies informed by these results would most likely involve people with prior or suspected Toxoplasma infection, pregnant people, or immunocompromised patients.
✕Less likely to help
People without any exposure to Toxoplasma or whose health issues are unrelated to toxoplasmosis are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this mouse-focused project.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a diverse panel of laboratory mice (the Collaborative Cross) to find host genes that change how the body responds to low-virulence Toxoplasma strains. They will pair these mouse genetics experiments with parasite genetics and immune-system studies to see which combinations of host and parasite genes cause worse disease. Lab tests will map specific gene regions and examine immune responses that differ between resistant and susceptible animals. Findings are meant to point toward genetic and biological clues that could matter for humans at risk of toxoplasmosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal genetic markers and immune pathways that help predict who is at higher risk from Toxoplasma and guide future prevention or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mouse genetics and immunology work has identified host immune genes that affect Toxoplasma resistance, but using the high-diversity Collaborative Cross to map susceptibility to low-virulence strains is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
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University of California, Merced
Merced, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jensen, Kirk David Christian — University of California, Merced
- Study coordinator: Jensen, Kirk David Christian
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.