Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2017/08684-7: BRET

• Grant number: 21/06607-0
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: September 01, 2021
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Célia Regina da Silva Garcia
• Grantee: Célia Regina da Silva Garcia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/08684-7 - Decoding Plasmodium signaling at molecular level as a new tool to the development of new antimalarials, AP.TEM
• EMU web page: Página do Equipamento Multiusuário não informada
• Type of equipment: Processos Biológicos - Caracterização - Leitores de fluorescência (imageamento, placas); Caracterização de Materiais - Microscopia ótica - Fluorescência
• Manufacturer: Fabricante não informado
• Model: Modelo não informado

Abstract

Malaria stands as the third most dangerous infectious disease after HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis that afflict mankind. The last decade studies pointed that pathogen have developed sophisticated cell signaling networks that allow for both cell-cell communication as well as sensing the external environment. In this direction, single cell protozoan parasites have to develop systems to withstand relatively large alterations in their external environments, including existing in the mammalian host with complex defense systems. In addition to depicting a complex biology, with a sexual and asexual developmental stage, malaria parasite, is exposed to distinct microenvironments within the vector cycle as well as during its development inside a vertebrate. The overall objective of this project is to understand how the parasite detects signaling from its milieu, what are the molecular components involved in transducing this signaling. We recently reported that purinergic signaling could be involved in TNF perception by P. falciparum. We plan to dissect the involvement of purinergic receptor signaling in P. falciparum cell cycle thus unraveling what is the participation of a P2X7 receptor in TNF signaling. We will use the PfGCaMP3 parasites as well as other molecular and cellular tools to understand signaling pathways in malaria parasite aiming to disrupt this signaling. (AU)