Why Toxoplasma hides as dormant cysts in brain cells
Translation initiation factors driving persistence of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites in neurons
This project aims to understand how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii turns into a dormant cyst inside human brain cells, which matters for people at risk of dangerous reactivation such as those with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237592 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a human neuron cell model to mimic how Toxoplasma forms long-lived cysts in the brain. The team is focusing on the molecular machinery that controls how the parasite makes proteins, especially translation initiation factors that change which messages get turned into protein. They will examine how changes in these protein-making steps cause the parasite to switch into the dormant bradyzoite form. The results are meant to point toward targets that future drugs could use to stop or clear cysts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for reactivated toxoplasmosis—for example, those with weakened immune systems or a history of Toxoplasma infection—would be the ultimate candidates to benefit from therapies guided by this work.
Not a fit: Healthy individuals without prior Toxoplasma exposure or risk of reactivation are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets that lead to therapies preventing or clearing dormant Toxoplasma cysts in the brain.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown that translation factors change during cyst formation, but turning those findings into treatments is still novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sullivan, William J — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Sullivan, William J
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.