Molecular basis of parasite-induced disruption of host circadian outputs

Circadian rhythms are near-24h long periods of physiological events that help us to adapt to our environment; for example, the sleep/wake patterns during light/dark cycles. However, infections cause disruptions of these rhythms leading to circadian disorders. African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease that disrupts circadian behaviour, but the mechanisms leading to these alterations are unknown. I propose to understand these mechanisms from a host and a parasite perspective. I will study gene expression profiles of specific brain regions during infection, as well as in parasites residing in the brain. Together with behavioural studies, this information will enable me to predict which genes and cells are driving circadian disorders during infection. My work will identify critical host and parasite mechanisms leading to infection-induced circadian disorders and will reveal factors that can be broadly exploited for the treatment of other infections affecting the brain.