Shotgun Kinetic Target-Guided Synthesis Approach Enables the Discovery of Small-Molecule Inhibitors against Pathogenic Free-Living Amoeba Glucokinases
Pathogenic free-living amoebae (pFLA) can cause life-threatening central nervous system (CNS) infections and warrant the investigation of new chemical agents to combat the rise of infection from these pathogens. Naegleria fowleri glucokinase (NfGlck), a key metabolic enzyme involved in generating glucose-6-phosphate, was previously identified as a potential target due to its limited sequence similarity with human Glck …
Characterization of the extracellular vesicles, ultrastructural morphology, and intercellular interactions of multiple clinical isolates of the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri
Introduction: As global temperatures rise to unprecedented historic levels, so too do the latitudes of habitable niches for the pathogenic free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. This opportunistic parasite causes a rare, but >97% fatal, neurological infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Despite its lethality, this parasite remains one of the most neglected and understudied parasitic protozoans. Methods: To better understand …
In the News: Dennis Kyle is quoted in “brain-eating” amoeba news story
A Nexstar Media wire story on Naegleria fowleri (aka "brain-eating" amoeba) featuring CTEGD director Dennis Kyle has been picked up by news outlets. Brain-eating amoeba: How do most infections occur? (NewsNation) Brain-eating amoeba: How do infections occur, and where are they most common? (The Hill)
Increasing the knowledge base on brain-eating amoeba
Cassie Russell, a graduate student in the Department of Infectious Diseases, in her laboratory space. (Photo by Ian Bennett) Cassie Russell, a graduate student in the Department of Infectious Diseases, was an undergraduate when she first heard of Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba. While whole lectures in her parasitology course had been dedicated to …
EdU Incorporation To Assess Cell Proliferation and Drug Susceptibility in Naegleria fowleri
Naegleria fowleri is a pathogenic free-living amoeba that is commonly found in warm freshwater and can cause a rapidly fulminant disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). New drugs are urgently needed to treat PAM, as the fatality rate is >97%. Until recently, few advances have been made in the discovery of new drugs for …
Dennis Kyle Featured Guest on People, Parasites & Plagues Podcast
Dr. Dennis Kyle, director of CTEGD and professor in the departments of cellular biology and infectious diseases, is the featured guest on Episode 5 of the People, Parasites & Plagues Podcast. He talks about a deadly disease caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba. The podcast is also available at Amazon, iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, Audible, and TuneIn People, Parasites …