Researchers have discovered that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, could be engineered to deliver therapeutic proteins to the brain, potentially treating neurological conditions that are hard to access.
The engineered parasite successfully delivered proteins with minimal side effects when tested on lab-grown human brain tissue and living mice. The study highlights T. gondii’s potential as a tool for both research and therapy, especially in targeting neurons that are difficult to reach with existing methods. This approach could offer new treatment options for brain-related ailments.