Diseases caused by trypanosomes and related organisms afflict millions of people in Africa, Asia, and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world infections are manifested in many tissues and organs and the symptoms are diverse, ranging from immunosuppression to blindness and often death. Treatment of these infections currently requires chemotherapy, is of only limited effectiveness, and is toxic for the patient. Trypanosomes, the parasites that cause these diseases, are single cell protozoans that diverged early from other protist species. As a result of their early evolutionary divergence, these organisms exhibit many unusual genetic and biochemical characteristics which may reveal possible points of inhibition to reduce pathogenesis of these organisms. This research will involve the genetic characterization and application of """"""""ribozyme"""""""" technology to knock out specifically targeted Trypanosoma mRNAs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31GM017594-04
Application #
2749742
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Project Start
1998-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
1998-08-01
Budget End
1999-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298
McAlister, Victor J; Christie, Gail E (2009) Analysis of DNA binding by a eubacterial zinc finger transcription factor. J Bacteriol 191:4513-21
McAlister, Victor; Zou, Chao; Winslow, Robert H et al. (2003) Purification and in vitro characterization of the Serratia marcescens NucC protein, a zinc-binding transcription factor homologous to P2 Ogr. J Bacteriol 185:1808-16