Determining the loci of mice responsible for natural resistance to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

• Grant number: 10/13983-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: September 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Quantitative Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Dario Simões Zamboni
• Grantee: Tiago Lara Michelin Sanches
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The differences in susceptibility of inbred strains of mice against murine models of infection revealed in recent years, new genes and molecular mechanisms responsible for control of microbial infections and parasitic diseases. The discrepant susceptibility of the inbred strain A/J compared to the inbred strain C57BL/6 against Trypanosome cruzi suggested the existence of host genetic factors accounting for resistance against the parasite. Since the characteristics of susceptibility may be modulated by quantitative variables, we hypothesized that the survival of the animal and the variation of parasitemia of infected animals may be good markers to be mapped in the mouse genome, through an analysis of QTL (Quantitative Trait loci). Thus, with the help of bioinformatics, we apply statistical methods of correlation implemented in software, as the package R / qtl in an experimental model of T. cruzi infection in mice.