Eukaryotic Pathogenesis

The laboratory of Joseph T. Smith, PhD, broadly focuses on uncovering the biomolecular mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism, and cell differentiation in kinetoplastid parasites. The lab’s primary model organism is Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness in humans and nagana disease in domesticated livestock across sub-Saharan Africa.

Our research on pathogenic eukaryotes focuses on the basic biology of these complex pathogens, such as protozoan parasites and fungi, and host interactions in response to their infection.

Understanding Disease-Causing Organisms

We study Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that causes serious disease in those with compromised immune systems, including AIDS patients. Considered an ideal model system, we also use this genome-sequenced organism to study how related pathogens, like malaria-inducing Plasmodium, cause disease.

We also study multiple aspects of the biochemistry and cell biology of Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness. Our research is exploring, for example, RNA editing, RNA turnover, ribosomal biogenesis, protein arginine methylation and secretion and protein trafficking in this tse-tse fly-transmitted parasite.

All of this work is relevant to the related parasite T. cruzi — which causes South American Chagas disease. Our long-term goal is to discover potential drug targets.

We research the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, including how it adapts to its host environment through posttranscriptional gene regulation. This microbe causes one of the most common life-threatening fungal infections in AIDS patients.

We also are exploring co-infection of this fungus with HIV in human macrophages.

Research News

Research Community Gathers at Microbiology Conference
6/12/23
The microbiology research community in Western New York and beyond gathered for the 33^rd annual Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis, hosted by the Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology.
Smith Researches RNA Editing in Trypanosoma Brucei
1/6/21
Joseph Terrell Smith Jr., PhD, postdoctoral fellow in microbiology and immunology, has been awarded a three-year, $202,000 F32 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study the regulation of RNA in Trypanosoma brucei.
Unique Biology of Human Parasites Focus of Read Study
9/9/19
Laurie K. Read, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology, is using National Institutes of Health funding to study the unique RNA biology of human parasites.
Stockton Kimball Awardee is Expert on Trypanosoma
7/3/18
Noreen Williams, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology, has received the 2018 Stockton Kimball Award for outstanding scientific achievement and service.
Targeting the Biology of Parasite Behind African Sleeping Sickness
2/27/17
James D. Bangs, PhD, Grant T. Fisher Professor and chair of microbiology and immunology, has received National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to continue his study of human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness.