A continuous in vitro culture system for Cryptosporidium

L. David Sibley and colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine in the U.S. will generate epithelial cells derived from isolated intestinal stem cells for the continuous in vitro culture of the parasite Cryptosporidium, which causes severe diarrheal disease in humans and animals, and is refractory to many anti-parasitic drugs. Currently, Cryptosporidium can only be grown in infected calves and short term in vitro cultures, precluding high-throughput chemical screens for new drugs.

Project Stage

Development & Testing

Implementation time

1 - 6 months

Last update: October 05, 2023

Overview Contributors

Challenge

Cryptosporidium causes severe diarrheal disease in humans and animals and is refractory to many anti-parasitic drugs. Currently, Cryptosporidium can only be grown in infected calves and short-term in vitro cultures, precluding high-throughput chemical screens for new drugs.

Description

Washington University School of Medicine will generate epithelial cells derived from isolated intestinal stem cells for the continuous in vitro culture of Cryptosporidium.

SDGs

Outcomes

Expected outcomes include the development of a continuous in vitro culture system for Cryptosporidium, facilitating high-throughput chemical screens for new drugs.