A5083957541- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Malaria Research and Control
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Polyamine Metabolism and Applications
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Travel-related health issues
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
- Barrier Structure and Function Studies
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
University of Chicago
2014-2024
University of Chicago Medical Center
2019-2023
Institut National d'Hygiène du Maroc
2022
Center for Innovation
2022
Fayetteville State University
2021
Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique
2021
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2009-2016
UConn Health
2006-2010
Inserm
2009
Aix-Marseille Université
2009
One third of humans are infected lifelong with the brain-dwelling, protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Approximately fifteen million these have congenital toxoplasmosis. Although neurobehavioral disease is associated seropositivity, causality unproven. To better understand what this parasite does to human brains, we performed a comprehensive systems analysis brain: We identified susceptibility genes for toxoplasmosis in our cohort and found expressed brain. Transcriptomic quantitative...
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on the acquisition of host purines for its survival within erythrocytes. Purine salvage by requires specialized transporters at plasma membrane (PPM), but exact mechanism purine entry into infected erythrocyte, and primary source used parasite, remain unknown. Here, we report that transgenic parasites lacking PPM transporter PfNT1 ( P. nucleoside 1) are auxotrophic hypoxanthine, inosine, adenosine under physiological conditions viable...
Biochemical studies in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, indicated that addition to pathway for synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from choline (CDP-choline pathway), parasite synthesizes this major membrane phospholipid via an alternative named serine-decarboxylase-phosphoethanolamine-methyltransferase (SDPM) using host serine and ethanolamine as precursors. However, role transmethylation phosphatidylethanolamine plays biosynthesis importance SDPM parasite's growth survival...
We designed and produced a self-assembling protein nanoparticle. This nanoparticle contains five CD8
Abstract Background The high rate of mortality due to malaria and the worldwide distribution parasite resistance commonly used antimalarial drugs chloroquine pyrimethamine emphasize urgent need for development new drugs. An alternative approach long uncertain process designing developing compounds is identify among armamentarium already approved clinical treatment various human diseases those that may have strong activity. Methods Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade™:...
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan of both medical and veterinary importance which classified as NIH Category B priority pathogen. It best known for its ability to cause congenital infection in immune competent hosts encephalitis compromised hosts. The highly stable specialized microtubule-based cytoskeleton participates the invasion process. genome encodes three isoforms α- β-tubulin we show that tubulin extensively altered by specific post-translational modifications (PTMs) this paper....
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii , the most common parasitic infection of human brain and eye, persists across lifetimes, can progressively damage sight, is currently incurable. New, curative medicines are needed urgently. Herein, we develop novel models to facilitate drug development: EGS strain T. forms cysts in vitro that induce oocysts cats, gold standard criterion for cysts. These highly express cytochrome b . Using these models, envisioned, then created, 4-(1 H )-quinolone scaffolds target...
Toxoplasma gondii infection causes substantial morbidity and mortality in the United States, infects approximately one-third of persons globally. Clinical manifestations vary. Seropositivity is associated with neurologic diseases malignancies. There are few objective data concerning US incidence distribution toxoplasmosis.
We created and tested multi-epitope DNA or protein vaccines with TLR4 ligand emulsion adjuvant (gluco glucopyranosyl lipid in a stable [GLA-SE]) for their ability to protect against Toxoplasma gondii HLA transgenic mice. Our constructs each included 5 of our best down-selected CD8+ T cell–eliciting epitopes, universal CD4+ helper lymphocyte epitope (PADRE), secretory signal, all arranged optimal MHC-I presentation. Their capacity elicit immune protective responses was studied using...
Background Congenital toxoplasmosis is a serious but preventable and treatable disease. Gestational screening facilitates early detection treatment of primary acquisition. Thus, fetal infection can be promptly diagnosed treated outcomes improved. Methods We tested 180 sera with the Toxoplasma ICT IgG-IgM point-of-care (POC) test. Sera were from 116 chronically infected persons (48 serotype II; 14 I-III; 25 I-IIIa; 28 Atypical, haplogroup 12; 1 not typed). These represent strains parasites...
We investigated the influence of light different wavelengths on expression psbA gene, which encodes D1 protein photosystem II and psaE subunit Psa-E I, in Synechocystis sp PCC 6803. In an attempt to differentiate between a light-sensory redox-sensory signaling processes, effect orange, blue, far-red was studied wild-type phycobilisome-less mutant. Transferring cells from one type illumination another induced changes redox state electron transport chain expression. Blue lights (which are...
Toxoplasma gondii persistently infects over two billion people worldwide. It can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Existing treatments have associated toxicities hypersensitivity do not eliminate encysted bradyzoites that recrudesce. New, improved medicines are needed. Transductive peptides carry small molecule cargos across multiple membranes to enter intracellular tachyzoites bradyzoites. They also into retina when applied topically eyes, cross blood brain barrier administered...
Apicomplexan infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality, worldwide. New, improved therapies are needed. Herein, we create a next generation anti-apicomplexan lead compound, JAG21, tetrahydroquinolone, with increased sp3-character to improve parasite selectivity. Relative other cytochromeb inhibitors, JAG21 has solubility ADMET properties, without need for pro-drug. significantly reduces Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites encysted bradyzoites in vitro, primary established chronic vivo....
ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can damage the human brain and eyes. There are no curative medicines. Herein, we describe our discovery of N -benzoyl-2-hydroxybenzamides as class compounds effective in low nanomolar range against T. vitro vivo . Our lead compound, QQ-437, displays robust activity could be useful new scaffold for development novel improved inhibitors genome-wide investigations reveal specific mechanism resistance to mediated by adaptin-3β, large...
Abstract Fighting smart diseases requires vaccines. Novel ways to present protective immunogenic peptide epitopes human immune systems are needed. Herein, we focus on Self Assembling Protein Nanoparticles (SAPNs) as scaffolds/platforms for vaccine delivery that produce strong responses against Toxoplasma gondii in HLA supermotif, transgenic mice. a useful platform peptides elicit CD4 + , CD8 T and B cell core architecture, formed by flagellin, administered combination with TLR4...
Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant phospholipid in membranes of Plasmodium falciparum, agent severe human malaria. The synthesis this occurs via two routes, CDP-choline pathway, which uses host choline as a precursor, and plant-like serine decarboxylase-phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (SDPM) precursor. Although various components these pathways have been identified, their cellular locations remain unknown. We previously reported identification characterization phosphoethanolamine...