Open Access

Erik Andrae

• Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite, that has infected a third of the global population. This infection causes Toxoplasmosis, with usually flu-like symptoms, before differentiating into dormant cysts in muscle and brain tissues. However, in cases of immunocompromised, pregnant or new-born patients it can cause sever symptoms, including a long-term impairment of the patients’ sight. Because current treatments can only supress the infection, not clear parasites from patients, new treatment options will be necessary to prevent severe cases of Toxoplasmosis. This study examines argyrin D, a promising drug candidate for toxoplasmosis treatment. It was found, that argyrin D does indeed inhibit T. gondii growth in in vitro culture. Argyrin D’s effect on T. gondii’s cell cycle, and mitochondrial shape were investigated using immunofluorescence assays. Further, in the process of this study, a novel experiment design using live imaging microscopy was devised. This allowed us to further investigate growth of T. gondii culteres, plaque growth and the cidal or static effects of differend compounds on Argyrin D.