Toxoplasmosis: Characterization of the parasite's sexual cycle using an in vitro model

A study conducted by Mohamed-Ali Hakimi's team tackles the challenges of investigating Toxoplasma's sexual reproduction—primarily occurring in felids, crucial for human transmission. The researchers successfully generated pre-gametes in vitro using innovative epigenetic and transcriptional manipulations, bypassing ethical issues associated with using cats as research models.

Article:
Antunes AV, Shahinas M, Swale C, Farhat DC, Ramakrishnan C, Bruley C, Cannella D, Robert MG, Corrao C, Coute Y, Hehl AB, Bougdour A, Coppens I and Hakimi MA@ 
In vitro production of cat-restricted Toxoplasma pre-sexual stages 
Nature. 2024 Jan;625(7994):366-376. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06821-y