Nasuhidehnavi Lab
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Binghamton University
How Parasitic Infections Accelerate Aging Mechanisms
Research
We explore modulations to cardiac aging in response to infection by the parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi using in vitro and mouse models.
It has been known that many infectious diseases results in chronic inflammation in the body. However it is not clear how this infection-based chronic inflammation contributes to aging processes. Our team addresses these questions by using spatial metabolomics to identify mechanisms underlying aging processes associated with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases to address these questions.
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By focusing on parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi, we aim to understand how these pathogens alter the molecular and biochemical pathways involved in aging. Our research aims to understand how chronic infections influence cellular senescence, immune function, oxidative stress, and the development of age-related diseases.
Current Experiments
Metabolic Profiling
​Researchers in our lab have access to cutting-edge technologies such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry at Binghamton University's Information Technology Complex. We extract metabolites from infected cultures and will conduct comprehensive tissue assessment and collections in the near future on mice models.
Immune Profiling and Senescence Phenotyping
Our lab uses expression and protein activity analyses of various cell types to create a deeper understanding of the immune profile and senescence phenotype produced by Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
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This is accomplished through the use of various techniques. Quantitative PCR experiments are conducted to measure gene expression of tumor and senescence associated genes and markers. Beta-galactosidase activity is quantified to measure senescence induced by parasitic infection.
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