In Vitro Cryptosporidium Propagation Using Tool Compounds

Christopher Huston of the University of Vermont in the U.S. will screen for compounds that inhibit differentiation of Cryptosporidium in culture in vitro. Lack of a continuous in vitro culture system impedes drug development for Cryptosporidium, which causes substantial morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Cryptosporidium infects intestinal cell lines but it quickly differentiates from replicating asexual to non-replicating sexual forms. Blocking sexual differentiation may result in continual replication of asexual parasite forms that can then be used in platforms to identify new drugs.