Peter John Bradley

Peter John Bradley is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. His research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis. Bradley's work investigates the parasite's invasion mechanisms, host-pathogen interactions, and replication processes through its specialized organelles like the inner membrane complex (IMC) and secretory organelles (rhoptries and dense granules).

Research Activities & Funding:

• Principal Investigator for multiple NIH grants including R21AI135661 (2019-2020), R01AI123360 (2017-2021), and R21AI125106 (2016-2019).
• Developed an unnatural amino acid system to study protein-protein interactions in Toxoplasma.
• Explores roles of IMC proteins in parasite shape, replication, and daughter bud formation.

Key Research Themes:

• Inner membrane complex (IMC) structure and function in Toxoplasma replication and motility.
• Secretory organelles (rhoptries/dense granules) in host cell invasion and immune evasion.
• Regulation of secretory pathways and protein trafficking in apicomplexan parasites.

Labs & Collaborations:

• Bradley Lab at UCLA focuses on Toxoplasma biology and apicomplexan parasites.
• Collaborations include researchers in structural biology, proteomics, and imaging (e.g., Zhou ZH, Wohlschlegel JA).

Recent Advances:

• Published studies on IMC43/IMC32 complex formation and GRA83 immune modulation (2023-2024).
• Development of proximity labeling (BioID) to expand IMC proteome analysis.
• Investigations into ERK7 signaling and apical complex assembly (2020-2024).