Story perspectives

York Researchers Uncover Key Mechanism in Sleeping Sickness Parasite

3/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

The University of York researchers identify ESB2 as a molecular shredder editing the African trypanosome parasite's genetic instructions in real time.
This process increases variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) production and reduces helper proteins for immune evasion.
The findings resolve a 40-year mystery about the parasite's gene expression.
The study was published in Nature Microbiology on March 30, 2026, and could inform Sleeping Sickness treatments.

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Story summary

The University of York researchers identify ESB2 as a molecular shredder editing the African trypanosome parasite's genetic instructions in real time.
This process increases variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) production and reduces helper proteins for immune evasion.
The findings resolve a 40-year mystery about the parasite's gene expression.
The study was published in Nature Microbiology on March 30, 2026, and could inform Sleeping Sickness treatments.