National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 5R01AI172811-04

Metabolic basis for the persistence of dormant Toxoplasma gondii infection

The award funds research to understand and target metabolic pathways to eliminate dormant Toxoplasma gondii infections, focusing on glucose utilization and mitochondrial functions to destroy dormant parasites in the central nervous system.

Description

This project aims to identify and validate a metabolic basis to eliminate the dormant stage of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The results will advance understanding of dormancy and test new strategies to eliminate the dormant stage. Dormant Toxoplasma gondii infection involves bradyzoite stage parasites within cysts in neurons of the central nervous system. These cysts provide a habitat that sustains parasite viability. While active infection treatments exist, strategies to eliminate dormant bradyzoites and cysts are lacking. The project hypothesizes that targeting glucose utilization and mitochondrial functions will accelerate the demise of dormant bradyzoites and their cysts.

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