Plasma membrane labelling of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites

Gras Laboratory

Endocytosis, recycling, and plasma membrane dynamics of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

The Gras Lab is a junior research group established in 2021. Initially funded by the DFG with its first PhD student, the lab aims to expand in the coming years. Multiple articles are being written based on the work from this initial funding phase.

The Gras lab is a member of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the LMU Munich. We are associated with the Chair of Experimental Parasitology (Prof. Markus Meissner) in Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried

Joining the Gras Lab

Intracellular tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii

Research

Publications

Gras Lab

Image Gallery

Here you will find a collection of nice images taken throughout our studies.

Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites during replication imaged using an Elyra microscope from Zeiss. Yellow: Microtubules, Red: Micronemes, Cyan: DNA. Picture by : Simon Gras, LMU Munich

The surface antigen SAG1, present on the parasite plasma membrane (PM-SAG1 : Magenta) and inside the parasite (Int-SAG1:Green), was labeled prior to invasion. Endocytosis of PM-SAG1 and secretion of Int-SAG1 can be observed during the replication of the parasite. Picture by: Simon Gras, LMU Munich

Expansion Microscopy of RH parasites labelled with SAG-1 antibodies. The yellow arrows indicate the plasma membrane reservoir (PMR) formed by the parasite during the replication process. Picture by: Romuald Haase, University of Geneva

News and events

11/08/2026 New Publication in Nano Letters
New work led by Javier Periz uses graphene energy transfer to pinpoint the position of the Toxoplasma Myosin A motor with nanometric precision.
31/07/2026 Summer Party Time!
Good food, live music and great company made for a fantastic lab summer party, with an extra special reason to celebrate this year!
07/05/2026 Lab Retreat at Kampenwand
Science, hiking and plenty of laughs: our Kampenwand lab retreat combined scientific discussions with spectacular mountain scenery.
22/05/2026 Dr. Simon Gras at the ParaFrap Workshop 2026
Dr. Simon Gras joined the ParaFrap workshop as an invited guest speaker for four inspiring days of science, exchange and networking.
27/01/2026 Dr. Simon Gras at APICOMPLEXA-2026
Dr. Simon Gras joined APICOMPLEXA-2026 as an invited speaker, presenting our latest work on plasma membrane recycling in Toxoplasma.

Gras Laboratory

Image Gallery

News and events

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