EFFICACY OF AN IMMUNOSTIMULATORY PEPTIDE AGAINST TOXOPLASMOSIS
Presenter Type
UNO Undergraduate Student
Major/Field of Study
Biology
Other
Biology
Advisor Information
Paul H. Davis
Location
MBSC302 - U
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
24-3-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
24-3-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii chronically infects a third of the world population. Toxoplasmosis, the disease caused by T. gondii, has shown to cause behavioral changes in the general population, but a greater concern lies in its lethality to fetuses and immunocompromised individuals. Following initial infection, T. gondii takes an intracellular chronic form (bradyzoite cyst), persisting for the host’s lifetime. The small molecule MW67 is an immunostimulatory peptide adjuvant which stimulates a non-inflammatory innate immune response by binding selectively on activation receptors of white blood cells, leading to a more robust adaptive immune response. Paired with known parasite epitopes, this study seeks to examine the potential of MW67 as a T. gondii vaccine adjuvant in mice. Results will be considered significant if MW67 statistically significantly decreases the overall burden of T. gondii in host models.
Scheduling
9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-Noon
EFFICACY OF AN IMMUNOSTIMULATORY PEPTIDE AGAINST TOXOPLASMOSIS
MBSC302 - U
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii chronically infects a third of the world population. Toxoplasmosis, the disease caused by T. gondii, has shown to cause behavioral changes in the general population, but a greater concern lies in its lethality to fetuses and immunocompromised individuals. Following initial infection, T. gondii takes an intracellular chronic form (bradyzoite cyst), persisting for the host’s lifetime. The small molecule MW67 is an immunostimulatory peptide adjuvant which stimulates a non-inflammatory innate immune response by binding selectively on activation receptors of white blood cells, leading to a more robust adaptive immune response. Paired with known parasite epitopes, this study seeks to examine the potential of MW67 as a T. gondii vaccine adjuvant in mice. Results will be considered significant if MW67 statistically significantly decreases the overall burden of T. gondii in host models.