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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 11d

Why do we care? Because very little information is available for proteins found in #parasites, despite parasites causing a third of the total global burden of human #disease (!!!) #MPM2025 @parasitesrule.org
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More about this problem is explained nicely here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Exploiting structural biology in the fight against parasitic diseases

Despite spectacular advances in structural biology over the past half-century, only approximately 2% of the structures in the Protein Data Bank are fr…

www.sciencedirect.com

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · 15d

You can explore the full scRNAseq data on the same gene page: cryptodb.org/cryptodb/app...

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · 15d

The @veupathdb.org user comments campaign at #MPM2025 yielded 200 user comments from 66 attendees! Thanks, contributors 💐

For example: a comment on gene cgd5_3570 on CryptoDB pointed out that GGC proteins exhibit male-specific expression according to single-cell RNA seq. Good to know!

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ParasitesRule @parasitesrule.org · 15d

Recordings of the last 5 Keynote talks at the Molecular Parasitology Meeting MPM are available on the parasitesrule Youtube channel - check them out - ❤️ like and subscribe:
www.youtube.com/@Parasitesrule

Parasitesrule

www.youtube.com

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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 15d

How? By inhibiting the uptake of metabolically essential amino acids and disrupting the parasite's lifecycle.

You can learn more about some of their work here: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

#Parasitology #MPMXXXVI #MPM2025
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Computational approaches for drug discovery against trypanosomatid-caused diseases

During three decades, only about 20 new drugs have been developed for malaria, tuberculosis and all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This critical situation was reached because NTDs represent only ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 15d

Highlights from #MPMXXXVI:

Work by Melisa Sayé et al. explores repurposing benztropine - a Parkinson's disease drug - against infection by Trypanosome cruzi, a #parasite causing Chagas disease which affects >7 million people worldwide.

@parasitesrule.org #MPM2025 #Parasitology

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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 15d

Learn more about some of their work here: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

(Although ginger extract is used in this paper^. If anyone can point me towards publications of their studies using thyme extract please do!)

@parasitesrule.org #MPM2025 #Parasitology #MPM2025 #botany
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Efficacy of green synthesized silver nanoparticles via ginger rhizome extract against Leishmania major in vitro

Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem that causes by parasite of the genus Leishmania. The pentavalent antimonial compounds that used for treatment are not safe or effective enough. The aim o...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 15d

Highlights from #MPMXXXVI:
Work by Atena Hesami et al. shows the efficacy of thyme extract incorporated into silver #nanoparticles for use against Leishmania major - a #parasite causing flesh-eating disease - showing the value of naturally sourced compounds as augmentative antiparasitic agents. 1/2

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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 15d

Highlights from #MPMXXXVI:

#Ticks! (woot!) Work by Isaac A. Hinne et al. identified stage-specific gene expression profiles in developing #tick embryos (Ixodes scapularis).

Targeting embryonic development in ticks offers a unique point of #vector control.

@parasitesrule.org #MPM2025 #Parasitology

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The University of Nomi @uniofnomi.bsky.social · 15d

Hey, #MPMXXXVI attendees! Just a reminder today is the last day to vote for your favourite talks and posters from this year's meeting. I've highlighted a few in my posts below!

@parasitesrule.org #MPM2025 #Parasitology

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Henrico Langeveld @henricol28.bsky.social · 19d

Honoured & grateful to have received an MPM Travel Grant and have the opportunity to present my PhD research at my first MPM 🇺🇸

Amazing science, inspiring discussions & a fantastic community of parasitologists – what a milestone in my journey. @parasitesrule.org
#MPM2025 #Parasitology

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Rohit Satyam @rohitsatyam.bsky.social · 22d

Join me on 16 Sept 8-9 AM (Boston time Zone i.e. 3 PM KSA) as I present my R package on how to access VEuPathDB component databases and several other database virtually in MPM XXXVI conference.

rohit-satyam.github.io/plasmoRUtils...

#plasmodium #pathogen
@veupathdb.org @parasitesrule.org

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ParasitesRule @parasitesrule.org · Aug 15

Did you submit an abstract to #mpm2025? Notifications went out this week. Check you spam folders if you don't see an email in your inbox. @rmc9z.bsky.social @mjgubbels.bsky.social @omarharb.org

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · Jun 9

🚀Big News! We’re now offering AI-powered summaries of expression data on gene pages in @veupathdb.org

See expression patterns and get insights with a single click! 🧬🔎

Go to your favorite gene pages and look for “AI Expression Summary” under Transcriptomics.

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Geoff McFadden @fad1.bsky.social · Jun 8

We are developing a simple, very cheap, low tech way to reduce malaria transmission. Instead of giving the antimalarials to people, we give them to the mosquitoes that spread the parasite. How do we drug a mosquito? Read on. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Identifying antimalarials that disrupt malaria parasite transmission when fed to the mosquito

A decade-long decline in malaria cases has plateaued, primarily due to parasite drug resistance and mosquito resistance to insecticides used in bed ne…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Bloodsucking Parasites @bloodsparasites.bsky.social · Jun 8

Three Hungry Tryps: the efficient endocytic pathway of pathogenic trypanosomatids Trends_Parasitol

Three Hungry Tryps: the efficient endocytic pathway of pathogenic trypanosomatids

Eukaryotic cells incorporate various molecules through a process known as endocytosis, which is crucial for the cell's survival and reproduction. While this process has been extensively studied in mammalian and yeast cells, significant contributions have also been made by researchers studying pathogenic protists. This review aims to present the most relevant information about the endocytic process in three important trypanosomatids: Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Leishmania. Many protozoa exhibit strong endocytic activity across their entire surface. However, in trypanosomatids, this activity is highly polarized and occurs exclusively in the flagellar pocket. In the case of T. cruzi, endocytosis primarily takes place through the cytostome–cytopharynx complex. This process involves an entry site organization of the cytoskeleton, including the participation of specialized microtubules.

dlvr.it

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ParasitesRule @parasitesrule.org · Jun 5

Registration and Abstract submission for MPMXXXVI are now open! Abstract submission deadline is June 27th, get yours in quickly. @rmc9z.bsky.social @mjgubbels.bsky.social @omarharb.org
🔗https://www.parasitesrule.com/mpm-xxxvi

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · Jun 2

Make open access to tools and data part of your annual giving by making a tax deductible donation to @veupathdb.org. 💙This resource simplifies and supercharges global infectious disease research.

Need more reasons to support VEuPathDB? Here's a short list: veupathdb.org/veupathdb/ap...

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · May 30

Today, we're highlighting a section of the gene page in @veupathdb.org data platforms that allows you to use RNA seq evidence to 🔎🧬examine gene models- making it easy to spot splice variants or incorrect annotation.

Take a look! www.youtube.com/shorts/T0Jis...

Intron spanning reads and gene models

YouTube video by VEuPathDB

www.youtube.com

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · May 29

Today's short video features the proteomics section of our encyclopedic gene pages. 🧬 Quickly find mass spec evidence, post-translational mods, and more for your favorite gene in @veupathdb.org and all of our component databases.

Watch it now! www.youtube.com/shorts/o0s-D...

Proteomics data on gene pages

YouTube video by VEuPathDB

www.youtube.com

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Author Bill Sullivan @authorbillsullivan.com · May 28

A common parasite can decapitate human sperm − with implications for male fertility

theconversation.com/a-common-par...

A common parasite can decapitate human sperm − with implications for male fertility

If you’ve handled cat litter or eaten raw meat or unwashed produce, there’s a chance you might have a permanent toxoplasmosis infection spread throughout your body.

theconversation.com

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veupathdb.org @veupathdb.org · May 28

📹We've made more short videos to highlight features on
@veupathdb.org 💫

This one walks you thro' the section on gene pages called the RNAseq transcriptomic summary. Get an overview of datasets where your favorite gene is doing something interesting. Watch it now! www.youtube.com/shorts/V2eZi...

Gene Page RNAseq Transcriptomic Summary

YouTube video by VEuPathDB

www.youtube.com

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Faria Tryps Lab @fariatrypslab.bsky.social · May 27

So happy to share the first preprint from our lab on post-transcriptional regulation at the VSG expression-site body in trypanosomes. @ybri-uoy.bsky.social @york.ac.uk

Specialised RNA decay fine-tunes monogenic antigen expression in African trypanosomes

Antigenic variation is a sophisticated immune evasion strategy employed by many pathogens. Trypanosoma brucei expresses a single Variant-Surface-Glycoprotein (VSG) from a large genetic repertoire, whi...

www.biorxiv.org

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Faria Tryps Lab @fariatrypslab.bsky.social · May 27

We identified 3 novel proteins at the ESB that negatively regulate genes co-transcribed with the active-VSG through specialised and spatially regulated RNA decay.
#RNA #condensates #3Dgenome #RNAdecay

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Faria Tryps Lab @fariatrypslab.bsky.social · May 27

Thanks to all involved, particularly @liannelansink.bsky.social
who worked really hard in the past 3 years & @trypsleon.bsky.social
and our funders @wellcometrust.bsky.social @royalsociety.org

@parasitesrule.org

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