Genome-wide CRISPR screens identify immunomodulatory effectors in Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals and invade all the nucleated cells. To establish the infection, Toxoplasma mainly utilizes its diverse secretory effectors to manipulate the host innate immune system and evade immune clearance at the site of infection. As a postdoctoral researcher, I took a cutting-edge genetic approach, genome-wide CRISPR screen, to study Toxoplasma secretory effectors that modulate host immune signals and affect pathogenicity. By identifying these immunomodulatory effectors in Toxoplasma, we uncovered novel aspects of Toxoplasma-host interactions, which will likely provide a robust scientific framework for the further development of immunotherapeutic strategies against toxoplasmosis.