What We Study

Immunofluorescence image of mammalian cells infected with Toxoplasma (green and red parasites and blue DNA)

No effective therapy exists to treat chronic toxoplasmosis, which presents serious challenges should a chronically infected individual become immunocompromised.

There are many aspects of T. gondii biology we know very little about. Our lab aims to uncover novel differentiation and virulence determinants and understand the molecular regulation of gene expression during developmental differentiation.

Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen of medical and veterinary importance. The majority of T. gondii infection occurs following ingestion of contaminated water and vegetables and undercooked meat from infected animals. The parasite can also cross the placenta to infect the fetus in newly infected pregnant women.

Although infection with T. gondii is usually self-limiting in healthy adult humans, severe disease sometimes occurs in immunocompromised individuals, such as the fetus, patients with HIV, and transplant patients.

Cartoon of Toxoplasma transmission - A cat eating a mouse, a pig, cow, chicken, male and female (with developing fetus). Oocysts and bradyzoites in muscle shown. Arrows to indicate route of transmission