Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · BiologyBlader Lab
Ira J Blader · Blacksburg, Virginia
Research Focus
Dr. Ira J. Blader's lab studies how certain protozoan parasites adapt to different oxygen levels in their environment, particularly focusing on Toxoplasma gondii. By understanding how these parasites sense and respond to oxygen, the lab aims to develop new therapies that could help treat diseases caused by these infections in vulnerable populations. The research combines genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology to uncover the mechanisms that drive pathogen survival and virulence in hostile conditions.
Toxoplasma gondiioxygen sensingprotozoan parasiteshypoxiavirulence mechanisms
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine how PHYa mediates growth at low oxygen and amino acids.
AIM 02Define how PHYb regulates protein elongation.
AIM 03Test the interaction of PHYa and PHYb in oxygen sensing during infection.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRgenome analysisbiochemical assayscell cultureprotein synthesis regulation
Output against the department
Publications88bottom 29% of dept.732nd of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.3kbottom 25% of dept.776th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.