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Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns

Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns

Published on: April 6, 2019

Cell-to-Cell Heterogeneity in Trypanosomes.

Vanessa Luzak^1,2, Lara López-Escobar³, T Nicolai Siegel^1,2

¹Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 82152, Germany;

Annual Review of Microbiology

|July 6, 2021

Summary

Biological noise, or cell-to-cell heterogeneity, helps pathogens like trypanosomes adapt to changing environments. This variation is crucial for their survival and infection strategies, offering advantages in hostile conditions.

Keywords:

Trypanosoma brucei bet-hedging heterogeneity hidden variables intrinsic noise single-cell biology

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Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi

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Last Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns

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Published on: April 6, 2019

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Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi

Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi

Published on: May 12, 2023

Area of Science:

Cellular biology
Parasitology
Evolutionary biology

Background:

Single-cell and single-molecule techniques reveal significant heterogeneity within isogenic cell populations.
Cell-to-cell heterogeneity is a major area in biomedical research, offering advantages like stress adaptation.
Protozoan parasites, such as trypanosomes, must adapt to diverse and harsh environments through morphological, gene expression, and metabolic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of biological noise and cell-to-cell heterogeneity in the fitness of eukaryotic pathogens.
To understand the functional significance of varying cell behaviors in trypanosome infections.
To investigate the underlying reasons for differential cell fates, such as differentiation, antigenic switching, and organ invasion.

Main Methods:

Review of recent advancements in single-cell and single-molecule analysis techniques.
Synthesis of existing research on cell-to-cell heterogeneity in bacteria and eukaryotic pathogens.
Conceptual framework linking biological noise to pathogen fitness and survival strategies.

Main Results:

Biological noise can provide adaptive advantages to unicellular organisms facing environmental stresses.
Cell-to-cell heterogeneity in trypanosomes may explain differential responses to life cycle transitions and host environments.
Specific examples include variations in differentiation, variant surface glycoprotein expression, and organ invasion.

Conclusions:

Biological noise is a significant factor contributing to the fitness and survival of eukaryotic pathogens.
Cell-to-cell heterogeneity plays a critical role in the complex life cycles and infection dynamics of trypanosomes.
Further research into biological noise can illuminate novel therapeutic strategies against parasitic infections.