de Graffenried Laboratory

The de Graffenried laboratory studies the biological processes that cells use to establish their shape, which is known as morphogenesis. Our primary model organisms are the trypanosomatid parasites, which are the causative agents of diseases such as Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas, and Leishmaniasis. These diseases cause tremendous suffering around the world, primarily in developing nations and migrant populations within more developed countries. By using a broad range of cellular and molecular approaches to understand morphogenesis, we aim to uncover how these parasites have evolved unique approaches to fundamental cellular processes that could be exploited for drug design.