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Nature Podcast
Cat parasite Toxoplasma tricked to grow in a dish
Dec 13, 2023
Researchers discover a way to grow a difficult-to-study parasite in vitro, potentially advancing understanding of it. Other intriguing topics include VR goggles for mice, coffee grinding consistency, rise of highly productive authors, and the search for the world's longest protein. Tune in for engaging discussions!
25:48
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Quick takeaways
- A new method has been developed to cultivate a crucial part of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite's life cycle in the lab, allowing for further research without the need for cats.
- Genome sequencing has identified potentially giant proteins in omnitrophotia bacteria, offering insight into their role in predation and the need for further investigation.
Deep dives
New Method Developed to Cultivate Toxoplasma without Cats
Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, affects a significant portion of the global population. Researchers have long struggled to study the sexual stages of the parasite's life cycle due to the need to infect cats. However, a new method developed by Ali Hakimi and his colleagues at Inserm in France allows the cultivation of a critical part of the parasite's life cycle in the lab, without the use of cats. By manipulating specific genes, they were able to grow pre-sexual merozoites, which closely resemble those grown in cat cells. This breakthrough not only eliminates the need for cats, but also opens up opportunities for further research into toxoplasma and its complex life cycle.
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