Toxoplasma gondii spreads through uncooked meat and contaminated produce. It causes toxoplasmosis, which is often mild but can be serious for pregnant women and people with weak immune systems. Doctors can treat it if they catch it within the first two weeks.
Researchers at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine adapted a fluorescent imaging system used for human cells so they could watch the parasite grow in real time. They identified a protein called PCNA1 and attached bright green tags to see it clearly. With a map of the parasite cell cycle, the team is now looking for points where drugs could stop multiplication.
Difficult words
- contaminate — make something unsafe with germscontaminated
- toxoplasmosis — an infection caused by a parasite in humans
- immune system — the body's parts that fight infectionsimmune systems
- fluorescent — giving off bright light when tested
- parasite — a small organism that lives on others
- cell cycle — the stages of growth and division in cells
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Discussion questions
- How can people reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis from food?
- Why do researchers watch the parasite grow in real time?
- What would you do if a pregnant family member might be at risk?
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