Honors Theses and Capstones
Date Completed
Spring 2026
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite responsible for both acute and chronic infections in humans and is a leading cause of foodborne illness-related deaths in the U.S. There are no effective therapies available for chronic infections, which can lead to brain damage and acute infection treatments can have severe adverse effects. The regulation of chromatin structure, including histone acetylation, plays a crucial role in gene expression, yet these mechanisms remain poorly understood in T. gondii. The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, and Toxoplasma are both in the apicomplexan phylum and possesses similar cellular mechanism, including bromodomain proteins (BDPs) that recognize acetylated histones and are essential for gene expression. BDP1 has been implicated in parasite survival and host invasion. This study aims to investigate the functional conservation of Toxoplasma BDP1 (TgBDP1) with Plasmodium BDP1 (PfBDP1). By transfecting T. gondii with a PfBDP1 expression vector while knocking down TgBDP1, we will assess their functional similarities. Experimental methods include plasmid construction, western blotting for protein expression analysis, and plaque and replication assays to measure parasite growth. This research will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms governing gene regulation in T. gondii, potentially uncovering new therapeutic targets for toxoplasmosis.
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
First Advisor
Vicki Jeffers
Second Advisor
Kendall Reidenbach
College or School
COLSA
Department or Program
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Recommended Citation
Martel, Katherine M., "Exploring Functional Complementation of Bromodomain Protein 1 to Probe Conserved Gene Regulation in Apicomplexan Parasites" (2026). Honors Theses and Capstones. 983.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/983