We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Advanced Genetic Tools Revamp Search for Drugs to Treat Cryptosporidium

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 Jul 2015
Print article
Image: Nomarski interference contrast photomicrographs of Cryptosporidium in the feces of an HIV-positive human (Photo courtesy of the CDC - [US] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Image: Nomarski interference contrast photomicrographs of Cryptosporidium in the feces of an HIV-positive human (Photo courtesy of the CDC - [US] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Genetically engineered modifications to genome of the diarrhea-causing parasite Cryptosporidium are expected to expedite research towards vaccine and drug development to prevent or cure infection by this pathogen.

Recent studies into the global causes of severe diarrhea in young children have identified the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium as the second most important diarrheal pathogen after Rotavirus. Cryptosporidium is also an opportunistic pathogen in the contexts of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-caused AIDS and organ transplantation.

There is no vaccine against Cryptosporidium and only a single [US] Food and Drugs Administration approved drug—nitazoxanide—that provides no benefit for either malnourished children or immunocompromised patients. Cryptosporidiosis drug and vaccine development are limited by a lack of systems for continuous culture, good animal models, and molecular genetic tools.

Investigators at the University of Georgia (Athens, USA) have applied CRISPR/Cas technology to the Cryptosporidium problem. Since 2013, the CRISPR/Cas system has been used in research for gene editing (adding, disrupting, or changing the sequence of specific genes) and gene regulation. By delivering the Cas9 protein and appropriate guide RNAs into a cell, the organism's genome can be cut at any desired location.

The investigators reported in the July 15, 2015, online edition of the journal Nature that by applying this methodology they had introduced a reporter gene into the parasite that caused it to emit light that could be observed under a microscope for in vivo and in vitro drug screening. To isolate stable transgenic organisms with this gene they developed a mouse model that delivered sporozoites directly into the intestine. They also established and optimized transfection of C. parvum sporozoites in tissue culture for in vivo selection for aminoglycoside drug resistance.

"One of the biggest obstacles with Cryptosporidium is that it is very difficult to study in the lab, and that has made scientists and funders shy away from studying the parasite," said senior author Dr. Boris Striepen, professor of cellular biology at the University of Georgia. "We think that the techniques reported in this paper will open the doors for discovery in Cryptosporidium research, and that will, in turn, lead to new and urgently needed therapeutics."

"Now that we have overcome these initial hurdles, we have a great opportunity to move forward much faster," said Dr. Striepen. "There is need, there is opportunity and now there is technical ability, so I think we may have reached a turning point in the fight against this important disease. There are enormous libraries of chemicals available now, and some of these chemicals may work as a treatment for Cryptosporidium and this technology will help us find them much more rapidly."

Related Links:

University of Georgia 


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.