Metal Detected

Much is made of the roles of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon inside cells, but many vital processes need metals too. Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is a parasite which infects up to half the world’s human population, and its impressive spread thrives on a metal-fed metabolism. Captured from different angles with a high-powered microscope, we see the looping structures of the T.gondii membranes (highlighted in yellow). In purple, metal transporting proteins ferry iron and zinc across its membranes and its base. Such widespread transport routes suggest metal transporters as possible targets for drugs tackling infections. T.gondii often causes no symptoms at all, but can cause toxoplasmosis, leading to complications in pregnancy and for those with weakened immune systems.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image from work by Dana Aghabi and colleagues
• Centre for Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
• Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
• Published in eLife, February 2026