Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
11:21
Forward Genetics Screens Using Macrophages to Identify Toxoplasma gondii Genes Important for Resistance to IFN-γ-Dependent Cell Autonomous Immunity
Published on: March 12, 2015
ToxoDB: an integrated Toxoplasma gondii database resource
Bindu Gajria1, Amit Bahl, John Brestelli
1Department of Biology, Department of Genetics, Center for Bioinformatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Nucleic Acids Research
|November 16, 2007
Summary
ToxoDB is a comprehensive genomic database for Toxoplasma gondii parasites. It has been significantly updated with new data and enhanced functionality for researchers studying this important pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii is a significant protozoan parasite with complex genomic and functional characteristics.
- Effective research relies on integrated, up-to-date genomic data resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the recent updates and expanded functionalities of ToxoDB.
- To highlight ToxoDB as a key resource for Toxoplasma gondii research.
Main Methods:
- Integration of genome sequences from multiple T. gondii strains (ME49, GT1, VEG, RH).
- Incorporation of diverse genomic-scale data, including community annotations, ESTs, gene expression, and proteomics data.
- Website enhancements to improve data accessibility and user functionality.
Main Results:
- ToxoDB now includes comprehensive sequence and annotation data for the T. gondii ME49 strain.
- Genome sequences for additional strains (GT1, VEG, RH) are available.
- The database integrates a wide array of functional genomic data, enhancing its utility.
Conclusions:
- ToxoDB provides a significantly matured and expanded resource for the scientific community.
- The updated ToxoDB facilitates deeper investigation into the biology of Toxoplasma gondii.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
01:30Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
01:36Types of Toxins
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
01:22American Trypanosomiasis
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
01:21Toxicokinetics: Overview
Studies that assess how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted (ADME) at toxic doses are termed toxicokinetics. Understanding toxicokinetics helps predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and manage toxicity in humans.Toxicokinetics differs from pharmacokinetics mainly in the dose levels studied, with toxicokinetics focusing on higher toxic doses. The kinetics at these levels can be non-linear due to altered physiological processes. Toxicodynamics examines the relationship...