Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases
University of Georgia
Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) are proteins used to monitor calcium ion (Ca2+) changes in living cells. They can be targeted to the cytosol or to organelles for continuous measurements in vivo. In this chapter, we present an overview of the methods that our lab used to detect Ca2+ changes in Trypanosoma cruzi elicited by stimulation …
As a continuation of the project aimed at searching for new chemotherapeuticagents against Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis, new selenocyanate derivatives are designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated against the clinically more relevant dividing amastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of this illness. Furthermore, as all the title compounds are fluorine-containing molecules, it seemed …
New test protocol can detect low levels of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease Researchers at the University of Georgia’s Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases have developed the first test to determine whether treatment for Chagas disease was effective. An estimated 6 million to 8 million people worldwide are infected with …
UGA researchers develop first test of cure for Chagas disease (UGA Today) UGA Pioneers First Test for Chagas Disease Cure (Mirage) UGA researchers develop first test of cure for Chagas disease (Newswise) ¿Se curó la infección de Chagas? Un nuevo test podría dar la respuesta (Infobae) Chagas disease: Test for cure (Outbreak News Today) AN2 …
CD8+ T cells are key effectors in immune control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Within C57BL/6 mice, the T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T cell response is largely comprised of T cells recognizing trans-sialidase (TS)- and mucin-encoded epitopes. Despite their immunodominance, these epitope-specific CD8+ T cells are entirely dispensable for immune control. In a screen for epitopes inducing …
Human infections by Trypanosoma cruzi propagate via its blood-feeding triatomine vector. Investigating parasite-vector interactions depends upon robust techniques to rear insects and analyze infections. Here, we present a protocol for laboratory rearing and infection tracking of Rhodnius prolixus. We describe steps for housing, feeding, and sorting strategies using 3D-printable designs. We also detail procedures for …
Trypanosoma cruzi typically establishes a life-long infection in its mammalian hosts, causing the destruction of muscle tissues and ultimately resulting in potentially fatal Chagas disease. In this review, we consider the array of avoidance mechanisms that allow for T. cruzi persistence, many of which are unconventional among protozoan pathogens but which collectively are highly effective …
Researchers secure funding to advance Chagas disease research (News-Medical.net) Investigators are studying Chagas disease with a One Health approach (DVM360) UGA and Texas A&M Researchers tackle Chagas disease in dogs and humans (WUGA) Countable Labs Launches Single-Molecule DNA Counting System, PCR Application (GenomeWeb)
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is a parasitic protist that affects millions of people worldwide. Currently there are no fully effective drugs or vaccines available. Contact of T. cruzi infective forms with their host cells or with the extracellular matrix increases their intracellular Ca2+ concentration suggesting a mechano-transduction process. We report here …
