Parasite Metabolism
Parasite Metabolism - Related Videos
03:40
β-Galactosidase Assay to Evaluate Drug-Induced Cytotoxicity in Parasites
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2023
In this video, we describe a simple and robust method to determine the cytotoxic potential of a trypanocidal drug against a parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, expressing the β-galactosidase enzyme. β-galactosidase serves as a cell lysis indicator, and its activity can be used to assess the effects of the drug.
13:39
Protocol for Production of a Genetic Cross of the Rodent Malaria Parasites
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Cited by 9 •
2011
Genetic crosses of rodent malaria parasites are performed by feeding two genetically distinct parasites to mosquitoes. Recombinant progeny are cloned from mouse blood after allowing mosquitoes to bite infected mice. This video shows how to produce genetic crosses of Plasmodium yoelii and is applicable to other rodent malaria parasites.
03:29
An In Vitro Assay to Quantify the Intracellular Growth of Parasite in Macrophages
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2025
This video demonstrates an assay to quantify the intracellular growth of parasites in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). The macrophage cells are infected with the motile and non-motile invasive stages of Leishmania, metacyclic promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively. The parasites invade the macrophages, getting internalized into a parasitophorous vacuole and multiplying inside. The intracellular parasite growth is quantified using a microscope upon fluorescently staining the...
02:33
A Technique to Develop a Parasite Infection in Intestinal Organoids via Microinjection
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2025
This video demonstrates a microinjection technique to develop a human intestinal organoid infection model. The infectious sporozoite stage of the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is microinjected into the organoid lumen. Upon invading the epithelial cells of the organoid, it undergoes asexual and sexual reproduction to complete its life cycle and spreads the infection.
05:41
Metabolic Profile Analysis of Zebrafish Embryos
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Cited by 42 •
2013
Zebrafish represent a powerful vertebrate model that has been under-utilised for metabolic studies. Here we describe a rapid way to measure the in vivo metabolic profile of developing zebrafish that allows the comparison of different mitochondrial function parameters between genetically or pharmacologically manipulated embryos, thereby increasing the applicability of this organism.
FAQs
Parasites can adjust their use of glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, amino acids, lipids, and redox control as nutrient and oxygen availability changes. These shifts help maintain energy production and cellular structures under different host conditions. The resulting metabolic flexibility can influence whether parasites continue growing, persist in tissues, or interact differently with immune defenses.
These pathways contribute different metabolic capabilities rather than serving as interchangeable labels. Glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration relate to energy generation, amino acid and lipid metabolism provide routes for handling essential nutrients, and redox control supports adaptation to changing cellular conditions. Considering them together gives a broader view of how parasites maintain function during infection.
Resource competition places parasite metabolism in direct relationship with host-cell metabolism. When both require essential nutrients, the parasite’s access to those resources can affect its growth and survival, while also altering host–pathogen interactions. In immunology and infection research, this link helps explain how metabolic conditions may shape immune defenses and tissue damage.
Redox control is important because parasite metabolism must remain responsive while conditions inside or on a host change. Examining redox control alongside energy-producing and nutrient-use pathways can reveal how parasites preserve cellular function during infection. This perspective is useful when connecting biochemical adaptation with survival, growth, and the parasite’s interaction with immune defenses.
Researchers can use metabolic dependencies to search for vulnerabilities that antiparasitic drugs might target. A useful analysis considers which energy, nutrient-use, or redox processes are important for parasite survival and growth, then relates those processes to host resources and infection outcomes. This approach connects pathway biology with strategies for controlling infection.
Metabolic analysis can connect biochemical pathways with infection consequences, including parasite growth, tissue damage, and interactions with immune defenses. In an immunology and infection context, researchers can use these links to interpret host–pathogen relationships and identify strategies that strengthen infection control. The value lies in relating cellular metabolism to infection outcomes rather than viewing pathways in isolation.