UCLA researchers map parasite movement linked to sleeping sickness

Researchers at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA have made significant strides in understanding the movement of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness. This breakthrough comes from using advanced atomic imaging and artificial intelligence to create a detailed 3D map of the parasite's flagellum, a crucial structure that aids in movement and survival. The study identified 154 proteins that compose the flagellum, including 40 that are unique to this parasite. The researchers captured essential molecular actions that allow the parasite to swim through blood and tissues, providing insights into how it infects hosts. This knowledge could be vital for developing treatments for sleeping sickness and other related diseases. To create the 3D map, the team employed cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryoEM), a technique that allows scientists to observe biological samples in great detail. AI tools were then used to analyze the structural data and predict protein shapes. The results showed how tiny motor-like structures within the flagellum work together to generate movement, much like rowers coordinating in a boat. Understanding how Trypanosoma brucei's flagellum functions may lead to new therapies that can eliminate the parasite or prevent its spread to humans. The insights could also enhance our knowledge of how similar microbes operate and their evolutionary history, and even inspire innovations in engineering by mimicking biological systems.