# Trypanosome Transmission Biology in Tsetse

> **NIH AI R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2026 · $818,379

## Abstract

This application is on Human African Trypanosomiases (HAT), one of the most neglected diseases of sub-
Saharan Africa. Despite the anticipated elimination of the gambiense disease by 2030, control in conflict-ridden
and remote areas where HAT typically occurs remains challenging. Interruption of the rhodesiense disease is not
yet envisioned at this time due to the presence of wild and domestic animal reservoirs. Because related tsetse-
transmitted parasites also cause devastating wasting diseases in domestic animals, our studies stand to also
improve nutrient availability and agricultural productivity on the continent. While considerable progress has been
recently made on therapeutics to cure patients, the tool box for disease prevention remains inadequate. Recent
discoveries on the mammalian bite site biology opened up a new frontier for the development of novel methods
to prevent transmission early in the infection in the mammal when very few parasites are introduced in saliva.
Here, we will develop the foundation on the molecular and immunological dialogues and the influential factors that
ultimately shape disease progression at the bite site. This information will help evaluate the feasibility of a
transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) strategy that target metacyclic parasites transmitted in tsetse saliva.
Aim 1. Understand the mechanistic basis of the tsetse-trypanosome dialogue in salivary glands (SG). Our data
indicate that trypanosome infections modify tsetse SG gene expression and saliva components (sialome). To
understand the parasite-SG molecular dialogue, we will: 1) characterize the miRNA populations in normal and
infected SGs, 2) validate the functional involvement of candidate miRNAs in the regulation of products in the
infectious inoculum, and 3) determine parasite infection mediated effects on SG physiology and saliva
composition in natural tsetse populations.
Aim 2. Characterize metacyclic trypanosome dissemination at the bite-site and elucidate vect

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11247478
- **Project number:** 5R01AI158805-05
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Serap  AKSOY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AI
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $818,379
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-12-17T00:00:00 → 2026-11-30T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11247478

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11247478, Trypanosome Transmission Biology in Tsetse (5R01AI158805-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11247478. Licensed CC0.

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