A5052336845- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Traffic and Road Safety
- Underground infrastructure and sustainability
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Transportation Planning and Optimization
- Parasitic infections in humans and animals
- interferon and immune responses
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
2019-2024
IIT@MIT
2023
Stanford University
2022
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2019-2021
Texas Department of Transportation
1998
The University of Texas at Austin
1998
Toxoplasma gondii is a master manipulator capable of effectively siphoning the resources from host cell for its intracellular subsistence. However, molecular underpinnings how parasite gains remain largely unknown. Residing within non-fusogenic parasitophorous vacuole (PV), must acquire across limiting membrane replicative niche, which decorated with proteins including those secreted dense granules. We discovered role Endosomal Sorting Complex Required Transport (ESCRT) machinery in...
The Toxoplasma gondii parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) offers protection from the host immune system but is also a barrier for uptake of nutrients host. Previously, we showed that GRA17 mediates tachyzoite PVM permeability to small molecules. During conversion tachyzoites encysted bradyzoites, remains as cyst becoming outer layer wall. Little known about how molecules, such nutrients, enter cysts. To characterize GRA17's role in cysts, deleted type II ME49 cyst-forming strain....
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite of humans and animals, causing life-threatening disease in the immunocompromized, fetal abnormalities when contracted during gestation, recurrent ocular lesions some patients. Central to prevalence pathogenicity this protozoan its ability adapt broad range environments, differentiate between acute chronic stages. These processes are underpinned by major rewiring gene expression, yet mechanisms that regulate transcription only partially characterized....
SUMMARY Within a host, pathogens encounter diverse and changing landscape of cell types, nutrients, immune responses. Examining host-pathogen interactions in animal models can therefore reveal aspects infection absent from culture. We use CRISPR-based screens to functionally profile the entire genome model apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii during mouse infection. Barcoded gRNAs were used track mutant lineages, enabling detection bottlenecks mapping population structures. uncovered over...
Abstract Successful infection strategies must balance pathogen amplification and persistence. In Toxoplasma gondii , this is accomplished through differentiation into dedicated cyst-forming chronic stages that avoid clearance by the host immune system. The transcription factor BFD1 both necessary sufficient for stage conversion; however, its regulation not understood. We examine five factors transcriptionally activated BFD1. One of these a cytosolic RNA-binding protein CCCH-type zinc finger...
Reconstruction of the Dallas North Central Expressway is one largest construction projects undertaken by Texas Department Transportation. The $450 million, 18-km highway and light-rail corridor being stage constructed under heavy commuting Interstate traffic a variety strategies have been to mitigate adverse impacts on flow businesses. findings various surveys conducted evaluate effectiveness business mitigation policies, including impact sales access data reported state comptroller, an...
SUMMARY Toxoplasma gondii chronically infects a quarter of the world’s population, and its recrudescence can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals recurrent ocular lesions immunocompetent. Chronic stages are established by differentiation rapidly replicating tachyzoites into slow-growing bradyzoites, which form intracellular cysts resistant to immune clearance existing therapies. Despite central role infection, molecular basis chronic is not understood. Through...
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a master manipulator capable of effectively siphoning the resources from host cell for its intracellular subsistence. However, molecular underpinnings how parasite gains remain largely unknown. Residing within non-fusogenic parasitophorous vacuole, must acquire across limiting membrane replicative niche, which decorated with proteins including those secreted dense granules. We discovered role Endosomal Sorting Complex Required Transport (ESCRT) machinery in...
Toxoplasma gondii chronically infects a quarter of the world’s population, and its recrudescence can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals recurrent ocular lesions immunocompetent. Chronic stages are established by differentiation rapidly replicating tachyzoites into slow-growing bradyzoites, which form intracellular cysts resistant to immune clearance existing therapies. Despite central role infection, molecular basis chronic is not understood. Through...
SUMMARY Successful infection strategies must balance pathogen amplification and persistence. In Toxoplasma gondii , this is accomplished through differentiation into dedicated cyst-forming chronic stages that avoid clearance by the host immune system. The transcription factor BFD1 both necessary sufficient for stage conversion; however, its regulation not understood. We examine five factors transcriptionally activated BFD1. One of these a cytosolic RNA-binding protein CCCH-type zinc finger...