We are excited to announce that Sarah Sun will present her research on SPOT-lysosome interactions at the 16th Annual Southern California Eukaryotic Pathogen (SCEP) Symposium, taking place Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at UC Riverside.
SCEP brings together researchers from more than 15 labs across Southern California studying intracellular protozoa, helminths, and fungal pathogens, offering a unique opportunity for interaction and collaboration among groups investigating host responses to eukaryotic pathogens.
Sarah’s talk builds on the lab’s recent work describing SPOTs (mitochondria-derived, acidified multivesicular compartments) that form during Toxoplasma gondii infection. Her research dives deeper into how these novel structures engage with the host’s lysosomal system, shedding light on the trafficking and maturation steps that allow SPOTs to become acidified and support parasite growth. This work extends our understanding of how T. gondii hijacks and reprograms host organelle networks for its own benefit.
Presenting at SCEP is a great opportunity for Sarah to share this exciting new angle on SPOT biology with the broader Southern California eukaryotic pathogen research community, exchange feedback, and build new collaborations.
Please join us in congratulating Sarah on this well-deserved opportunity to showcase her work!