Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite that infects the intestinal tract, causing the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. A common route of infection is drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Victoria Karaluz is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She studies within the department of molecular genetics and microbiology, working with EPI members Megan Stanifer and Steeve Boulant on intestinal infections. The research within the lab has found that certain pathogens, like the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, are influenced by the lack of oxygen in the gut, also known as hypoxia. The parasite has been found to replicate more in a hypoxic environment. Let's stay connected. -------------------------------------------- Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UFEPI Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uf_epi/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerging-pathogens-institute Follow us on X: https://x.com/UF_EPI #Hypoxia #Intestine #Virus #Parasite #Research #StudentResearch #EPIresearch #UFresearch #UFEPI #UF

EPI member Steeve Boulant, Ph. D., and members of his lab at the University of Florida study viruses that attack the gastrointestinal tract, such as rotavirus, norovirus and astrovirus. The team has found a connection between gut oxygen levels and the immune response generated by cells. Hypoxia, low levels of oxygen, can make enteric viruses more infectious. This research can lead to the development of specific drugs that can target different enteric viruses. Let's stay connected. -------------------------------------------- Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UFEPI Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uf_epi/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerging-pathogens-institute Follow us on X: https://x.com/UF_EPI #GutHealth #EntericVirus #GutVirus #GastrointestinalHealth #Rotavirus #Norovirus #Astrovirus #research #UFEPI #EPIresearch