Little Zombie Parasites

Co-hosts Anne Chappelle and David Faulkner speak with William J. Sullivan, PhD, Showalter Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology and Professor of Microbiology & Immunology with the Indiana University School of Medicine, about toxic parasites lying dormant in your brain and the power and importance of science communication.

About the Guest
Bill Sullivan, PhD, has been studying the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii since he was a graduate student in the laboratory of Dr. David Roos at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. He completed postdoctoral fellowships with Dr. Chuck Smith at ELANCO (a division of Eli Lilly, Co.) and Dr. Sherry Queener at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He became an Assistant Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 2003. Dr. Sullivan is now the Showalter Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology and Microbiology & Immunology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Dr. Sullivan’s lab studies cellular signaling and the regulation of gene expression in a fascinating protozoan parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma causes congenital birth defects as well as opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS, cancer chemotherapy, and heart transplant patients. There is also emerging evidence that this parasitic infection may be linked to neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia and behavior modification. While the acute stage of toxoplasmosis can be treated, the ability of the parasite to convert into latent tissue cysts prevents eradication of the infection from the patient. Unfortunately, if immunity wanes, the patient can relapse and suffer additional episodes of life-threatening acute infection. Additionally, toxoplasma is a serious threat to some wildlife and livestock.

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