Auburn and FIOCRUZ tackle the rising global challenge of Chagas Disease

Advanced computational simulations offer new perspectives on Chagas Disease mechanisms: A groundbreaking approach to visualizing parasite-host interactions at the molecular level\

Auburn University Department of Physics

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From left to right, Dr. Manuela Leal da Silva, Ms. Raissa Rosa, and Dr. Rafael C. Bernardi, the collaborative team of researchers from Auburn University and FIOCRUZ who are advancing our understanding of Chagas Disease through groundbreaking molecular dynamics simulations.

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Credit: Auburn Physics

Auburn, AL – Researchers from Auburn University, in a landmark collaboration with Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), the world's leading research institution on Chagas Disease, have published a significant study in the journal Biochemistry. The study sheds new light on how the Chagas Disease parasite invades human cells—a crucial step towards developing effective treatments for this neglected tropical disease.

Chagas Disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is traditionally endemic to Latin America but is increasingly becoming a global health concern. "With international travel and migration pushing the disease beyond its original borders, it’s becoming a silent threat in regions like the US and Europe where it often goes unrecognized due to non-specific early symptoms," says Dr. Bernardi, lead researcher at Auburn University.

The collaborative research utilized a novel molecular dynamics simulation to examine the interaction between the parasite’s protein gp82 and the human receptor LAMP2. This interaction is pivotal for the parasite's entry into human cells. The study, the first to model this interaction at such an atomic detail, identifies new potential targets for therapeutic intervention which could lead to the development of drugs to block the infection process.

"This research is not just about scientific discovery," emphasizes Dr. Bernardi. "It’s about addressing a major, yet neglected global health issue. Chagas Disease affects millions and poses a significant burden on public health systems, particularly in Latin America. However, its spread to the US and Europe—where data on its prevalence remains scarce—highlights the urgent need for increased surveillance and research."

FIOCRUZ's partnership in this study underscores the global imperative to combat Chagas Disease. "Collaborating with Auburn University allows us to blend cutting-edge technology with decades of expertise in Chagas research," says Dr. Leal da Silva, co-author and a professor at both FIOCRUZ and Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. "This study is a critical step toward a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Chagas Disease, which is essential for the development of effective treatments."

Raissa Rosa, a graduate student at both FIOCRUZ and Auburn University, adds, "This collaboration has been incredibly enlightening. It allowed us to connect known experimental results with computational work that enabled us to visualize the interaction at the atomistic level. We were able to see things that not only explain the experimental results but also go beyond, revealing new aspects of the parasite-host interaction that we could never see before."

The study also highlights the potential for international research collaborations to tackle complex health challenges. "Chagas Disease has been neglected for far too long," Dr. Bernardi adds. "But with the combined efforts of institutions like Auburn and FIOCRUZ, we are making significant strides in understanding and eventually mitigating this disease."

Auburn University's Biophysics cluster, a collaborative initiative within the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), brings together faculty from the Departments of Biological Sciences, Physics, and Chemistry & Biochemistry. This interdisciplinary group is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biophysics by integrating diverse scientific disciplines to address complex biological problems. Through innovative research and education, the cluster contributes significantly to our understanding of fundamental biological processes and diseases, such as Chagas Disease, highlighting Auburn's commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and health.

This map, produced with 2018 World Health Organization data, highlights the reported cases of Chagas Disease. While traditionally associated with Latin America, the disease has spread, silently invading new regions around the world. Note: Data covers only a limited portion of the globe, indicating underreporting and the potential for a significantly wider impact.

Credit

Raissa Rosa - Auburn University

 

This rendering illustrates the critical interaction between gp82 on the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and LAMP2 on the human cell membrane. The proximity of the two membranes, shown here, is a crucial step in the parasite's internalization process, enabling T. cruzi to invade and infect human cells.

Credit

Rafael C. Bernardi - Auburn University

Journal

Biochemistry

DOI

10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00710 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Atomistic Insights into gp82 Binding: A Microsecond, Million-Atom Exploration of Trypanosoma cruzi Host-Cell Invasion

Article Publication Date

28-Mar-2025

 

Navigating a US bioscience career despite anticipated cuts in funding for biomedicine

PLOS

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Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, DSc (hon).

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Credit: Agapito Sanchez Jr, Baylor College of Medicine (CC-BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Many young and midcareer scientists in the U.S. are understandably anxious about potential cuts to government funding and the rise of junk science. Although your future in biomedicine may not be what you originally planned, it might actually become more interesting and filled with new possibilities and opportunities for innovation. Don’t think of this time to hunker down and disappear. Do the opposite with the understanding that you are more powerful and brilliant than you may realize.

 

In your coverage, please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper in PLOS Biology: https://plos.io/4bF93zK   

Article title: Navigating your US bioscience career into the 2030s

Author countries: United States

Funding: The author received no specific funding for this work.

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Journal

PLOS Biology

DOI

10.1371/journal.pbio.3003089 

Method of Research

Commentary/editorial

 

How the failure of two dams amplified the Derna Flood tragedy in Libya

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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The track of Storm Daniel across the Mediterranean Sea and the heavy rainfall it triggered in Libya. Dozens of mm of precipitation fell in the Wadi Derna catchment (blue line) which triggered the flood. 

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Credit: Moshe Armon, Yuval Shmilovitz and Elad Dente, published in the original article

A new study reveals that the devastating 2023 flood in Derna, Libya, was not merely the result of extreme rainfall but was drastically intensified by a major design shortcoming and its resulting collapse of two embankment dams. Through advanced hydrological modeling and satellite data analysis, researchers found that while Storm Daniel brought heavy rainfall, the catastrophe stemmed from dam failures and flawed risk assessment and communication—amplifying the destruction nearly twentyfold. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved flood mitigation strategies, especially in dryland regions where high uncertainty in risk analysis, coupled with vulnerable infrastructure, pose an ever-growing threat.

Link to video of the simulations: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1o1elIt9RP_JdgcbjsfPG9NKxuFAHD-/view?usp=sharing

A new collaborative study by Dr. Moshe Armon from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Yuval Shmilovitz from the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder and Dr. Elad Dente from the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Haifa, published in Science Advances, sheds light on the catastrophic flood that struck Derna, Libya, in September 2023. The research challenges the idea that this disaster was an unavoidable natural event, demonstrating that poor infrastructure planning played a crucial role in the devastation. 

The study examines the deadly combination of extreme rainfall from Storm Daniel, a Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone, and the structural failure of two embankment dams in Wadi Derna. The research team used a combination of atmospheric reanalysis, satellite data, and hydrological modeling to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the flood and the destruction in the city of Derna. Their findings reveal that while the rainfall intensity was high, it was not an unprecedented event. In fact, such storms are expected in the region once every few decades, indicating that this flood was foreseeable.

However, the failure of the dams amplified the disaster nearly twentyfold. Hydraulic simulations conducted in the study show that, had the dams not been built, the flood’s impact on the city of Derna would have been significantly lower. Instead, the presence of these dams created a false sense of security, encouraging construction and habitation in vulnerable areas. When the dams collapsed, the resulting flood surge caused severe destruction, sweeping away entire neighborhoods and claiming thousands of lives.

"Our findings make it clear that the disaster in Derna was not solely the result of extreme weather but a failure in risk management. While storms like Daniel are uncommon, they are not unprecedented. If the dams had been properly designed or a different flood prevention strategy had been used and communicated properly to the downstream community—this tragedy could have been significantly mitigated," said the authors. "This disaster is a stark warning that over-reliance on infrastructure without proper risk assessment can have catastrophic consequences."

The study highlights the urgent need for improved risk assessment and flood mitigation strategies, particularly in dryland regions where the weather is especially variable and extreme events are much larger than the common event. The researchers emphasize that over-reliance on flood protection infrastructure without proper risk communication can lead to catastrophic failures. Instead, they advocate for nature-based flood prevention solutions and robust early warning systems to better protect communities from similar disasters.

This research serves as a stark reminder of the problems and challenges in relying on infrastructures to prevent flood disaster. Without proactive risk management, proper maintenance, and transparent communication with the public, even well-intentioned flood protection measures can become the very cause of tragedy.
 

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Journal

Science Advances

DOI

10.1126/sciadv.adu2865 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Anatomy of a Foreseeable Disaster: Lessons from the 2023 Dam-Breaching Flood in Derna, Libya

Article Publication Date

28-Mar-2025

 SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

Studies evaluate the health effects of bioactive compounds obtained from plants

Researchers from Brazil and Germany study the mechanism of action of phytochemicals from papaya, passion fruit and medicinal plant extracts; results were presented at FAPESP Week Germany.

Meeting Announcement

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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The table was attended by Bernadette de Melo Franco, Hans-Ulrich Humpf, Ulrich Dobrint, João Paulo Fabi and Peter Eisner 

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Credit: Elton Alisson/Agência FAPESP

Fruits and plant extracts contain bioactive compounds that can help treat or prevent diseases. To characterize and understand their mechanism of action, researchers from universities and research institutions in Brazil and Germany have conducted independent but complementary studies.

Some of the results were presented at a lecture session on the future of food and nutrition research on March 25th during FAPESP Week Germany at the Free University of Berlin.

According to Ulrich Dobrindt, a professor at the University of Munich in Germany, medicinal plants contain different types of phytochemicals (natural chemical substances) that neutralize bacterial infections in different ways, thereby boosting the host’s defenses. For this reason, there is growing interest in using extracts from these plants to treat and prevent urinary tract infections, one of the most common infections worldwide, which are currently treated with antibiotics.

“Although their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects are well known, the active compounds of these plants – such as flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids – and their mechanisms of action on pathogen cells have yet to be characterized. Some are antibacterial, but many don’t have this effect,” said the researcher.

In order to further their understanding, German scientists have developed infection models to study the effects of plant extracts on the innate immune response and on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression (biochemical processes that activate and deactivate genes). In bladder cells, for example, they are studying the effect of traditional plants with urological activity, according to the German pharmacopoeia.

In collaboration with researchers at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil, it was found that some aqueous plant extracts (from species such as Solidago gigantea and Equiseti herba) significantly reduced the adhesion and survival of Escherichia coli in human bladder epithelial cells.

“We observed a drastic reduction in the adhesion and proliferation of this bacterium in bladder cells,” said Ulrich.

Fruit fibers

In Brazil, a group associated with the Food Research Center (FoRC) – one of FAPESP’s Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers (RIDCs) – has focused on the technological prospection and evaluation of the biological effects on humans of non-digestible water-soluble polysaccharides (bioactive polysaccharides), such as pectins.

Found in papaya, passion fruit and citrus fruits, pectins make up a large portion of the fiber in these fruits and have been linked to a reduction in chronic non-communicable diseases.

However, some of the challenges in extracting these compounds from fruits such as papaya are that they ripen very quickly, resulting in softening of the pulp and chemical modification of the structures of its pectins, which are linked to biological effects such as modulation of the gut microbiota.

“During fruit ripening, enzymes are expressed that modify the structure of the pectins, reducing their beneficial biological effects. Passion fruit and citrus pectins, on the other hand, must be chemically modified in order to present beneficial activities in the intestine,” João Paulo Fabi, professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo (FCF-USP) and coordinator of the project, told Agência FAPESP.

To do this, the Brazilian researchers developed techniques to extract pectin from the albedo of oranges and passion fruit – the white part between the peel and the pulp that is normally discarded when the fruit is processed to make juice – and to modify it in the laboratory to reduce its molecular complexity in order to increase its biological activity.

The development resulted in a patent for the process of extracting pectin from fleshy fruits such as papaya and chayote. A second patent covering the modification of pectin from passion fruit by-products is in the process of being filed.

“We already have a prototype for extracting and modifying these pectins on a laboratory scale. The idea is to obtain a product, such as a flour rich in modified pectin, that could be consumed as a supplement or food ingredient,” said Fabi.

In partnership with other groups, the researchers conducted animal studies to demonstrate the correlation between modified pectins and increased biological activity.

“These preclinical studies can serve as a basis for the development of clinical trials [with modified pectins] as adjuvants to chemotherapy treatment of colon cancer or even as beneficial modulators of the intestinal microbiota,” the researcher said.

More information about FAPESP Week Germany can be found at: fapesp.br/week/2025/germany.

 

Why scientists are worried about weasels

North Carolina State University

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A weasel stands on a log carrying a mouse at night. Weasels are notoriously difficult to capture on camera, and researchers are working to find the best way to draw them out of hiding.

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Credit: Courtesy of North Carolina State University

When monitoring the health of mammal populations, scientists often use camera traps to observe the animals in their habitats.  But weasels are so sneaky they’re rarely caught on camera – leaving scientists with questions about this population of predators.

“We’re a little worried about the weasels,” says Roland Kays, a research professor at North Carolina State University and scientist at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. “We don’t see them very often, but it’s difficult to tell if they’re actually gone or if they’re just so sneaky that we can’t find them. We decided that we needed to better understand the best method to detect them. There wasn’t a great consensus on that.”

That problem is the focus of a new study by Kays and a host of collaborators, which examines what kind of bait is most effective at luring weasels out of hiding.

Between 2022 and 2023, researchers placed 486 camera traps in sites across the central and eastern United States where they knew weasels lived. They baited those traps with seven types of lures to see which ones attracted the most mustelids – a diverse family of carnivores that includes weasels, ferrets and martens.

Red meat outperformed all other baits, especially when supplemented with a bit of salmon oil. Weasels in the south also had a taste for chicken, Kays said. Because red meat is also attractive to most other predators, researchers used a new double-cage system to make it harder for larger animals to reach the bait.

“There is a huge variety of scent lures available, and trappers often make their own from all kinds of ingredients,” he said. “As it turns out, however, just having a chunk of meat works the best.”

Of all the weasel species to worry about, the “least weasel” is the most worrisome. As the world’s smallest carnivore, the least weasel is notoriously difficult to track down and has only been seen in a handful of camera trap surveys. Their range extends into the North Carolina mountains, and Kays hopes to use the findings from this study to survey least weasel populations there.

“Now that we have an understanding of the best ways to lure the weasels, we can be more confident in the findings of our surveys,” he said. “When we have sites where we don’t detect them, we can be much more assured that they aren’t just in hiding, they’re really just not there at all.”

The paper, “Efficacy of baits and lures for weasel detection” is available to read in the open-source journal Wildlife Society Bulletin. The study’s corresponding author is Scott M. Bergeson of Purdue University Fort Wayne. This project was partially funded through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act 1937.

-pitchford-

Note to editors: The abstract of the paper follows.

“Observations on weasel bait efficacy during a nationwide camera trapping survey”

Authors: Scott M Bergeson, Purdue University, Roland Kays, North Carolina State University/North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, et al.

Published: March 27, 2025 in Wildlife Society Bulletin

DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1580

Abstract: Small mustelids are difficult to survey due to their low density and cryptic nature. Population status of North American weasels (Mustela erminea, Mustela nivalis, and Neogale frenata) are believed to be in decline, but there are no standardized monitoring protocols to evaluate their status. To support weasel monitoring, we compared the attractiveness of various combinations of baits and lures to weasels in sites located throughout the eastern and central USA. We baited a total of 122 clusters of 4 camera traps, across 14 states, with random combinations of 4 baits and 3 scent lures in the winters of 2022 and 2023. Cameras baited with meat were 3.5 times more likely to detect both short- and long-tailed weasels on average (mean percentage of cameras detecting weasels: 20–30%) than those with scent lures (3–11%). Red meat was twice as effective at attracting short-tailed weasels (50%) as chicken or cat food (20%; Z = 2.49, p < 0.01). While red meat marginally increased detections of long-tailed weasels (21%) compared to chicken and cat food (19%), its effectiveness was influenced by whether the bait was stolen (Z = 2.08, p = 0.04). Additionally, long-tailed weasels were detected in half the time when raw chicken was used (median days to detection: red meat = 39.5 days, raw chicken = 14.5 days). When salmon oil was added to meat bait, it increased the likelihood of detecting short-tailed weasels and reduced the time to detection for both species. A variety of non-target species stole meat bait during the survey, making the camera traps less effective. The addition of salmon oil may have allowed for continual attraction of weasels until stolen meat bait could be replenished. In summary, red meat was the best all-purpose bait for weasels, although raw chicken is similarly effective for long-tailed weasels, and the addition of salmon oil is helpful. We also recommend a specific bait enclosure design that was the most effective at minimizing theft of bait. We propose our baiting strategy can be used as a survey standard to evaluate the distribution and population status of weasels.

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Journal

Wildlife Society Bulletin

DOI

10.1002/wsb.1580 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Efficacy of baits and lures for weasel detection

Article Publication Date

27-Mar-2025

Rallies grow in South Korea as court weighs president’s fate

By AFP
March 29, 2025


Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have rallied in capital Seoul for weeks - Copyright AFP Jung Yeon-je

Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans rallied for and against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday as protests grow while the country’s Constitutional Court weighs whether to dismiss him.

Yoon was impeached by lawmakers over his disastrous December 3 declaration of martial law, and the court last month held weeks of tense impeachment hearings to determine whether to officially remove him from office.

The wait has only emboldened rival camps to hit the streets in greater numbers every weekend.

On Saturday main streets through central Seoul were filled with protesters for and against Yoon carrying political signs and waving flags despite the cold weather.

“The people are overwhelmed with fatigue and frustration as… the ongoing crises remain unresolved,” said Lee Han-sol, 34, who was protesting for Yoon’s dismissal.

“The ongoing delays have led to a growing sense of scepticism.”

But Yoon supporters, whose members include right-wing YouTubers and religious figures, told AFP his impeachment trial is unlawful.

“The Constitutional Court won’t be able to ignore us. Look at us, there so many of us here,” said Lee Hye-sook, 58.

The Constitutional Court was given 180 days from the time it took on Yoon’s impeachment case to issue a ruling, meaning it has until June to decide his fate.

It has typically issued rulings within weeks for past presidential impeachment cases, but it has taken longer over Yoon’s case, without providing a reason.

At least six of the court’s eight justices must vote to remove Yoon.

But the wait has also given rise to a surge in speculation, with some suggesting the justices must be experiencing tense disagreements.

The former prosecutor was detained in a dawn raid in January on insurrection charges but was released in early March on procedural grounds. He has remained defiant throughout and blamed a “malicious” opposition.

Yoon also faces a criminal trial on charges of insurrection over the martial law bid, making him the first sitting South Korean president to stand trial in a criminal case.

If the Constitutional Court decides to formally dismiss Yoon, it would trigger elections in 60 days — which opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is currently frontrunner to win.

This week an appeals court overturned an election law conviction against Lee, potentially clearing the way for him to mount a presidential campaign.

But if it is reinstated on appeal, he will be stripped of his parliamentary seat and barred from running for office for five years, including the next presidential vote.