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People, Parasites, and PlaguesAuthor: David Peterson and Kim Klonowski
People, Parasites, and Plagues is a podcast aimed at delivering information about the fascinating pathogens among us from the impressive professionals who study them. Join our hosts Dr. David Peterson and Dr. Kim Klonowski, two infectious disease researchers from the University of Georgia, as we explore the past, present, and future of science. Tune in every other week for a new and enlightening episode as we unpack the details surrounding some of Earths most perplexing diseases. Language: en-us Genres: Life Sciences, Science, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The World’s Most Successful Parasite: Inside Toxoplasma’s Weird Biology
Monday, 13 April, 2026
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Diego Huet, an associate professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Georgia, to explore Toxoplasma gondii. It's often called the world’s most successful parasite.Infecting up to a third of the global population, Toxoplasma is both incredibly common and largely invisible. Dr. Huet breaks down how it spreads, why most people never know they have it, and how it can persist in the body for life by forming dormant cysts.We also dive into the parasite’s surprisingly complex biology, from its unusual ATP synthase (with nearly double the components found in humans) to the bigger evolutionary questions behind why it works the way it does. Along the way, we explore how scientists use Toxoplasma as a model to better understand other parasites, and how these differences could lead to more targeted treatments in the future.
