P. Volf

Gene deletion as a possible strategy adopted by New World Leishmania infantum to maximize geographic dispersion

This study examines how a sub-chromosomal deletion in Leishmania infantum affects parasite virulence, transmission, and drug resistance, suggesting it may enhance geographic spread.

Steppe lemmings and Chinese hamsters as new potential animal models for the study of the leishmania subgenus Mundinia (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae)

This study identifies Chinese hamsters and Steppe lemmings as new animal models for studying Mundinia Leishmania species, showing susceptibility and infectiousness to sand flies.

3D electron microscopy of the Leishmania mexicana cell cycle: Patterns of organelle duplication and segregation and their implications for parasite biology

This study uses 3D electron microscopy to analyze Leishmania mexicana cell cycle stages, revealing organelle duplication, segregation patterns, and metabolic adaptations in different environments.

Discovery of essential kinetoplastid-insect adhesion proteins and their function in Leishmania-sand fly interactions

The paper identifies kinetoplastid-insect adhesion proteins (KIAPs) involved in Leishmania-sand fly interactions and shows their role in adhesion and colonization.

Formation and three-dimensional architecture of Leishmania adhesion in the sand fly vector

This study uses 3D electron microscopy to analyze the structure and adhesion mechanisms of Leishmania haptomonads in sand flies, identifying key stages and the role of calcium in attachment.

Leishmania allelic selection during experimental sand fly infection correlates with mutational signatures of oxidative DNA damage

This study identifies oxidative DNA damage signatures in Leishmania donovani during sand fly infection, linking them to allelic and haplotype selection through genomic analysis.

Repurposing of mitochondria-targeted tamoxifen: Novel anti-cancer drug exhibits potent activity against major protozoan and fungal pathogens.

This paper demonstrates that MitoTam, a mitochondria-targeted tamoxifen analog, effectively kills various pathogens including fungi, Plasmodium falciparum, and trypanosomatid parasites in vitro and in vivo.

Interior of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) abdomen reveals novel structures involved in pheromone release: discovering the Manifold.

The study identifies a new internal cuticular structure called the Manifold in sand flies involved in pheromone release, revealing its potential taxonomic and ecological significance.

Experimental evolution reveals post-transcriptional regulation as a novel driver of Leishmania fitness gain

This study shows that post-transcriptional regulation, not just genome instability, drives fitness gain in Leishmania parasites during in vitro adaptation.

Systematic functional analysis of Leishmania protein kinases identifies regulators of differentiation or survival

The paper systematically analyzes Leishmania protein kinases to identify those regulating differentiation and survival across life cycle stages.

Characterization of a new Leishmania major isolate for use in a controlled human infection model

This paper isolates and characterizes a new Leishmania major strain for use in controlled human infection models to advance vaccine development.

Role for the flagellum attachment zone in the resolution of cell membrane morphogenesis during Leishmania cell division

This study investigates the role of FAZ2 in Leishmania cell division, showing that its loss disrupts membrane organization and reduces parasite viability in sand flies and mice.

The Phlebotomus papatasi transcriptomic response to trypanosomatid-contaminated blood is robust but non-specific

The paper examines the transcriptomic response of sand flies to trypanosomatid-contaminated blood, finding a generalized response to blood meals rather than specific parasite-related changes.

Genetic dissection of a Leishmania flagellar proteome demonstrates requirement for directional motility in sand fly infections

This study identifies flagellar proteins in Leishmania and shows that directional motility is essential for parasite colonization of sand flies.