title: The early years of Toxoplasma research: What's past is prologue.
abstract: In the century since the first description of Toxoplasma gondii history and circumstance have led scientists to define this organism in diverse contexts. From its discovery by researchers shaped by early 20th century versions of the germ theory to its more recent roles as an important globally distributed pathogen and a model apicomplexan, our definitions of Toxoplasma are as much a reflection of our frame of reference as they are an absolute definition of this organism. Although these transformations act as portals for new avenues of investigation, the essential questions that inform current research are founded in the work of early investigators who studied Toxoplasma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 92697, USA. nmorriss@uci.edu
authors.forename: Naomi S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Morrissette
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ajioka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000469:parasitology; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D002415:Cats; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions; D010274:Parasitology / Q000266:history*; D011817:Rabbits; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000266:history / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D013449:Sulfonamides