Roberto Docampo

Dr. Roberto Docampo is a Distinguished Research Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in the Department of Cellular Biology at the University of Georgia's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. His laboratory investigates metabolic pathways in parasitic protists, particularly focusing on calcium homeostasis, acidocalcisome biology, and polyphosphate metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and other pathogens. His work aims to identify parasite-specific targets for chemotherapy, such as the mitochondrial calcium uniporter and vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase.

• Faculty since at least 2016
• Lab URL: docampolab.franklinresearch.uga.edu

Dr. Docampo's research explores:

• Calcium signaling mechanisms in parasites
• Polyphosphate metabolism and its therapeutic implications
• Acidocalcisome structure/function across eukaryotes
• Drug target validation using CRISPR/Cas9
• Osmoregulation via contractile vacuole complex
• Mitochondrial bioenergetics in trypanosomes

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in:

• Inositol phosphate pathways
• Metal ion transport
• Membrane contact sites
• Antiparasitic bisphosphonates
• Organelle proteomics
• Protozoan stress responses

Scientific awards mentioned in the text include:

• Mayara Bertolini (student): AHA predoctoral fellowship
• Noelia Lander (student): UGA Postdoctoral Research Award

His lab collaborates with researchers across parasitology, biochemistry, and pharmacology, maintaining active projects on:

• Acidocalcisome-mitochondria interactions
• Calcium-dependent signaling pathways
• Development of novel antiparasitic compounds
• CRISPR/Cas9 applications in marine protists
• Evolutionary conservation of acidic organelles
• Protein trafficking mechanisms in trypanosomes