Genetic screen for novel virulence factor of Toxoplasma gondii using induced cross within an intermediate host

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07470
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49040:Parasitology-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Matsuzaki Motomichi 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 革新知能統合研究センター, 研究員 (00511396)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 永宗 喜三郎 国立感染症研究所, 寄生動物部, 室長 (90314418) ; 高島 康弘 岐阜大学, 応用生物科学部, 准教授 (20333552)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: トキソプラズマ / 病原性 / QTL解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project aimed at identifying novel virulence factors of Toxoplasma gondii, by performing QTL analysis using genome-wide SNP information obtained from a cross of a Japanese strain with a characteristic phenotype induced within an intermediate host.
However, long-term experiments were difficult to undertake due to the repeated spread of COVID-19 infection that starts concurrently with the study. The study was thus limited to collecting information through literature surveys and online conferences and conducting a few experiments in the final year. As a result, no substantial achievements were obtained.

Free Research Field

寄生虫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

研究期間を通じてCOVID-19の感染拡大が繰り返したため、文献調査や学会参加による情報収集と、最終年度に若干の実験を実施できたに留まり、実質的な研究成果は得られていない。