Identification of genes are required for kDNA maintenance and function in trypanosomastid parasites

Trypanosomes are single celled parasites that are the cause of severe diseases that affect both humans and cattle, making their study of interest for future therapeutic applications. Trypanosomes present a peculiar mitochondrial DNA (called kDNA) that is an attractive therapeutic target, as drugs directed at it  would be unlikely to also affect the human mitochondria. Within the laboratory, large scale RNA interference screens have provided several potential candidate genes without a currently known function, but with suspected involvement in kDNA maintenance. The phenotype of these genes will be confirmed by gene knockdown assays and their effect determined through various phenotypic experiments.