Membrane proteins as mechanisms of immune system evasion in Trypanosoma brucei

Introduction

Figure 1. Blood smear with Trypanosoma brucei from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of all defined parasitic human pathogens, the transmitter of Trypanosomiasis (commonly known as African Sleeping Sickness) has a truly fascinating relationship to its hosts. As heteroxenous organisms, Trypanosoma parasites require more than one host to successfully complete their life cycles. Specifically, these flagellate protozoa are unicellular and carry out part of their growth inside the gut of the tse tse fly prior to transmission into the human bloodstream. The mechanisms through which Trypanosoma species evade the human immune system are complex and not completely defined. Much research is concerned with studying the exact modes these unique organisms have for escaping antibody detection and wreaking havoc on their hosts’ health. Perhaps the most important technique Trypanosoma species have is the ability to manipulate their membrane receptor proteins at a more rapid speed than human immune systems can assemble appropriate antibodies. Inadequacy of current treatments has spurred on research to describe this phenomenon in greater detail and discover more effective means of understanding the many facets of African sleeping sickness.
Subscript: H₂O
Superscript: Fe³⁺

Disease Origins and Distribution

Figure 2. T. brucei in thin blood smears stained with Giemsa and a close view of a tse tse fly (DPDx: Laboratory Identification of Parasites of Public Health Concern).

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Mechanism of Infection

Figure 3. Life cycle of the parasite from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

some stuff

Protein Cycling

talk about proteins

Drug Interactions

drugs

Future Research

further description of mechanism of action (current data)

Conclusion

Overall paper length should be 3,000 words, with at least 3 figures.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2009, Kenyon College.