Ph.D. in Microbiology, 1981 Federal University of Rio de Janeiro 
Postdoctoral training in Microbiology and Immunology, 1981-1986, Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Michigan State University

Dr. Villalta's research interests have been focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and innate immunity, developing novel drugs and vaccines for infectious diseases, and advancing health disparities research.

Fundamentals of Organs/Systems Part 2 course & PBL facilitator.

Dr.  Fernando Villalta is Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs and Faculty Development, and Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences at the City University of New York School of Medicine. He has pioneered major research discoveries in infectious diseases that cause immunodeficiencies over the years by discovering new microbial molecules and host receptors that play critical roles in the pathogenesis of microbial infections that are targets for intervention, discovered novel mechanisms of infection and innate immunity against intracellular pathogens, discovered novel drugs using structure-based design targeting specific pathogen molecules for the treatment of infectious diseases and effective cutting-edge microbial vaccines. In collaboration with his colleagues, he has discovered novel mechanisms of HIV-1 pathogenesis. The NIH has continually supported Dr. Villalta's research programs on infectious diseases for more than 30 years. His breakthrough research discoveries have been published in over 100 papers, made the cover page of high-impact journals over the years, and were highlighted on the NIH website.

Dr. Villalta received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, followed by postdoctoral training in Microbiology and Immunology in the Department of Microbiology and Public Health at Michigan State University.

Dr. Villalta was Chair and Professor of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology at Meharry Medical College, Professor at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center/Meharry Alliance, Interim Director of the Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Director of the NIH P50 Southeast Collaborative for Innovative and Equitable Solutions to Chronic Disease Disparities Investigator Development Core, Deputy Director of the NIH U54 Research Center in Minority Institutions in Health Disparities Research at Meharry and Director of its Investigator Development Core, Associate-Director of the NIH P30 Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (TN-CFAR) Developmental Core, and the NIH U54 Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine and Population Health. In these capacities, Dr. Villalta mentored and trained investigators to fill the cross-training gap between basic sciences, behavioral, clinical, and translational research in health disparities to enhance extramural funding and foster scientific team building and skill development with outstanding outcomes that generated successfully extramurally R01 funded independent investigators. 

Dr. Villalta's extensive experience as a standing member of NIH study sections over the years is also instrumental in supporting and helping the faculty to secure extramural grant support. 

Dr. Villalta's unique leadership experience in health disparities research and strong track record in training and fostering the career development of faculty to become independent investigators is important for supporting the professional growth of faculty through retention, and professional development at CUNY Med. 

Dr. Villalta is also nationally recognized for his outstanding track record in successfully training Ph. D.s and MD/Ph.D. students supported by T32s from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as PI for more than 30 years.  Dr. Villalta has trained >80 minority scientists who have become University Presidents, members of the National Academy of Medicine, Deans, VPs for Research, Department Chairs, tenured university professors, and senior scientists in government agencies. Most of his Ph.D. students received prestigious NIH F31 grant awards. He received numerous national awards for training and mentoring Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D. students. He is committed to advancing graduate training opportunities through quality, innovation, discovery, and education as Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs. 

Dr. Villalta also has an extensive track record of serving on National Advisory boards for the Department of Health and Human Services, advisory boards for major research-intensive institutions, and other funding agencies, and serving as editor-in-chief, editor, and editorial board member for numerous scientific journals. 
 

1.    Cooley C, Rayford KJ, Arun A, Villalta F, Lima MF, Pratap S, Nde PN. 2022. Trypanosoma cruzi dysregulates piRNAs computationally predicted to target IL-6 signaling molecules during early infection of primary human cardiac fibroblasts. Immune Network  Dec 22(6):e51.

2.    Banga AR, Sekhar KR, Rayford KJ, Arun A, Odiase P, Garg AP, Lima MF, Nde, PN, Villalta F*, Rachakonda G*. 2022.  Xanthine analogs suppress Trypanosoma cruzi infection in vitro using PDE as targets. Microbiology Research 13(4):721-739.

3.    Arun A, Rayford KJ, Cooley A, Rana T, Rachakonda G, Villalta F, Pratap S, Maria F. Lima MF, Sheibani N, Nde PN. 2022. Thrombospondin-1 expression and modulation of Wnt and hippo signaling pathways during the early phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection of heart endothelial cells. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 16(1): e00110074.

4.    Hargrove TY, Wawrzak Z, Rachakonda G, Nes WD, Villalta F, Guengerich FP, Lepesheva GI. 2021. Relaxed substrate requirements of Sterol 14alpha-demethylase from Naegleria fowleri are accompanied by resistance to inhibition. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 64 (23): 17511-17522.

5.    Jia, X., Shao, Q., Chaudhry, A.R., Kinlock, B.L., Izban, M.G., Zhang, H-Y., Villalta, F., Hildreth, J.E.K, Liu, B. 2021. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) enhances HIV-1 accumulation and release in primary cervical epithelial cells by inhibiting lysosomal activity. Pathogens 10 (9):1192.

6.    Odiase, P., Rachakonda, K., Kress, M., Villalta, F., Rachakonda, G. 2021. Respiratory and neurological disease across different ethnic groups is influenced by the microbiome.  Microorganisms 9 (9):1965.

7.    Myers, H.F., Fair, A.M., Villalta, F., Walz, K., Beech, B.M., Scott, W.K., Haas, D.W. 2021. Transdisciplinary perspectives on precision medicine. Health Equity 5(1)288-298.

8.     Jones, B., Balasubramanian, M., Lebowitz, J.J., Taylor, A., Villalta, F., Khoshbouei, H., Grueter, C., Grueter, B., Dash, C., Pandhare, C. 2021. Activation of proline biosynthesis is critical to maintaining glutamate homeostasis during acute methamphetamine exposure. Scientific Reports 11(1):1422.

9.    Rayford, K.J., Cooley, A., Rumph, J.T., Arun, A., Rachakonda, G., Villalta, F., Lima, M.F., Pratap, S., Misra, S., Nde, P.N. 2021. pRNAs as modulators of disease pathogenesis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(5):2373.

10.    Yanagihara, R., Berry, M.J., Carson, M.J., Chang, S.P., Corliss, H., Cox, M.B., Haddad, G., Hohmann, C., Kelley, S.T., Lee, E.S.Y., Link, B.G., Noel, R.J Jr., Pickrel, J., Porter, J.T., Quirk, G.J., Samuel, T., Stiles, J.K., Sy, A.U., Taira, D.A., Trepka, M.J., Villalta, F., Wiese, TE. 2021. Building a diverse workforce and thinking force to reduce health disparities. International Journal of Environmental Research Public Health 18(4):1569.

11.    Rayford, K.J., Cooley, A., Arun, A., Rachakonda, G., Kleschenko, Y., Villalta, F., Pratap, S., Lima, M.F., Nde, P.N. 2020. Trypanosoma cruzi modulates PIWI-interacting RNA expression in primary human cardiac myocytes during the early phase of infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21(24):9439.

12.    Arun, A., Rayford, K.J., Rachakonda, G., Villalta, F., Pratap, S., Lima, M.F., Sheibani, N., Nde, P.N. 2020. Trombospondin-1 plays an essential role in Associated Protein Nuclear Translocation during the early phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in heart endothelial cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21(14): E4912.

13.     Dash, S., Balasubramaniam, M., Martinez-Rivera, F.J., Godino, A., Peck, E.G., Patnaik, S., Suar, M., Calipari, ES., Nestler, E.J., Villalta, F., Dash, C. Pandhare, J. 2020. Cocaine-regulated miRNA "miR-124" controls Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 expression in neuronal cells. Scientific Reports 10(1):11197.

14.    Villalta, F., Rachakonda, G. 2019. Advances in preclinical approaches to Chagas disease drug discovery. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery 14(11):1161-1174.
        
15.    Guedes-da-Silva, F.H., Batista, D.G,J., Da Silva, C.F, Pavão, B.P., Meuser, M.B, Moreira, O.C, Souza, L.R.Q., Britto, C., Villalta, F., Lepesheva, G.I., Soeiro, M.N.C. 2019. Successful aspects of the co-administration of sterol 14 alpha-demethylase inhibitor VFV and benznidazole in experimental mouse models of Chagas disease caused by the drug-resistant strain of Trypanosoma cruzi.  ACS Infectious Diseases 5(3):365-371.

16.    Ysrayl, B.B., Balasubramaniam, M., Albert, I., Villalta, F., Pandhare, J., Dash, C. 2019. A novel role of prolidase in cocaine-mediated breach in the barrier of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Scientific Reports 9(1):2567.

17.    Friggeri, L., Hargrove, T.Y., Warwrzak, Z., Blobaum, A.L., Rachakonda, G., Lindsley, C.W., Villalta, F., Nes, W.D., Botta, M., Guengerich, F.P., Lepesheva, G.I. 2018. Sterol 14 alpha-demethylase structure-based design of VNI ((R)- N-(1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)2-(1 H-imidazol-1-yl) ethyl)-4-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl) benzamide)) derivatives to target fungal infections: Synthesis, biological evaluation, and crystallographic analysis. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 16(13):56-79-5691.

18.    Suman, S., Rachakonda, G., Mandape, S.N., Sakhare, S.S., Villalta, F., Pratap, S., Lima, M.F., Nde, P.N. 2018. Phosphoproteomic analysis of primary human colon epithelial cells during the early Trypanosoma cruzi infection phase. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2(9): e0006792.

19.    Hargrove T.H., Garvey, E.P., Hoekstra, W.H., Yates, C.M., Wawrzak, Z., Rachakonda, G., Villalta, F., Lepesheva, G.I.  2017. Crystal structure of the new investigational drug candidate VT-1598 in complex with Aspergillus fumigatus sterol 14α-demethylase provides insights into its broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotheraphy 61(7). pii: e00570-17.  

20.    Dash, S., Balasubramaniam, M., Calipari, E.S., Rana, T., Goodwin, J.F., Villalta, F., Nestler, E.J., Dash, C., Pandhare, J.  2017.  Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) induction by cocaine is post-transcriptionally regulated by miR-125b. eNeuro 4(4): ENEURO.0089-17.2017.

21.    Matthews, Q.L., Farrow, A.L., Rachakonda, G., Gu, L., Nde, P., Krendelchtchikov, A., Pratap, S., Sakhare, S.S., Sabbaj, S., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2016. Epitope Capsid-Incorporation: New Effective Approach for Vaccine Development for Chagas Disease. Pathogens and Immunity 1:214-233.

22.    Dotson, D., Woodruff, E.A., Villalta, F., Xinhong Dong, X.  2016. Filaminin A is involved in HIV-1 VPU-mediated evasion of host restriction through modulating tetherin expression. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1291:4236-46.

23.    Udoko, A.N., Johnson, C.A., Dykan, A., Rachakonda, G., Villalta, F., Mandape, S.N., Lima, M.F., Pratap, S., Nde, P.N.  2016. Early regulation of profibrotic genes in primary human cardiac myocytes by Trypanosoma cruzi. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 10(1): e0003747.

24.    Hoekstra, W., Hargrove, T.Y., Wawrzak, Z., Rachakonda, G., Villalta, F., Soeiro, M.N.S., Lepesheva, G.I. 2015. Antiparasitic effect in vitro, activity in a murine model of Chagas disease, and structural characterization in complex with the target enzyme CYP51 from Trypanosoma cruzi of the potent clinical candidate VT-1161. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 60:1058-66.

25.    Dash, S., Balasubramaniam, M., Villalta, F., Dash, C., Pandhare, P. 2015. Impact of cocaine abuse on HIV pathogenesis. Frontiers in Microbiology 6:1111.

26.    Pandhare, J., Dash, S., Jones, B., Villalta, F., Dash, C. 2015.  A Novel role of proline oxidase in HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein induced neuronal autophagy. Journal of Biological Chemistry 290:25439-25451.

27.    Lepesheva, G.I., Hargrove, Y.I., Rachakonda, G., Nde, P.N., Somanta, Locuson, C.W., Calcutt, M.W., Daniels, J.S., Loiseau, P., Villalta, F. 2015. VFV is a new effective CYP51 structure-derived drug candidate for Chagas disease and visceral leishmaniasis.  Journal of Infectious Diseases 212:1439-1438.

28.    Haubrich, B.A., Singha, U.K., Miller, M.B., Nes, C.R., Anyyatonwu, H., Lecordier, L., 
Patkar, P., Leaver, D.J., Villalta, F., Vanhollebeke, B., Chaudhuri, M., W. Nes, D. 
2015. Discovery of an ergosterol-signaling factor that regulates Trypanosoma brucei 
growth. Journal of Lipid Research 56:331-341.

29.    Farrow, A.L., Rachakonda, G., Gu, L., Krendelchtchikova, V., Nde, P.N., Pratap, S., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F.*, Matthews, QL. 2014. Immunization with Hexon Modified Adenoviral Vectors Integrated with gp83 Epitope Provides Protection against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. PLSO Neglected Tropical Diseases 8: e3089. * Corresponding author. Cover page.

30.    Friggeri, L., Hargrove, T.Y., Rachakonda, G., Williams, A.M., Wawrzak, Z., De Vita, D., Tortorella, S., Villalta, F., Lepesheva, G.I. 2014. Development of novel anti-chagasic azoles: two distinct regions of the T. cruzi sterol 14α-demethylase potentiate the enzyme inhibition.  Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 57:6704-6717.

31.    Pandhare, P., Addai, A.B., Mantri, C.K., Hager, C., Smith, E.M., Barnett, L., Villalta, F., Kalams, S.A., Dash, C. 2014.  Cocaine enhances HIV-1 induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis: Implications in disease progression in cocaine abusing HIV-1 patients.  American Journal of Pathology 184: 927-936. 

32.    Johnson, C.A., Rachakonda, G., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Nde, P.N., Pratap, S., Cardenas     T.C., Taylor, C. Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2013. Cellular response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces secretion of defensin alpha-1, which damages the flagellum, neutralizes trypanosome motility, and inhibits infection. Infection and Immunity 81: 4139-4138. "Kudos" from the American Society for Microbiology.

33.    Villalta, F., Dobish, M.C., Nde, P.N., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Hargrove, T.Y., Johnson, 
C.A., Waterman, M.R., Johnston, J.N., Lepesheva. G.I.  2013. VNI cures the acute 
and chronic experimental Chagas disease. Journal of Infectious Diseases 208: 
504-511. Faculty of 1000.

34.    Dobish, M.C., Villalta, F., Waterman, M.R., Lepesheva, G.I., and Johnston, J.N. 2012. Organocatalytic, enantioselective synthesis of VNI: A robust therapeutic development platform for Chagas, a neglected tropical disease. Organic Letters. 14:6322-6325.

35.    Nde, P.N. Lima, M.F., Johnson, C.A., Pratap, S., Villalta, F. 2012. Regulation and use of the extracellular matrix by Trypanosoma cruzi during early infection. Frontiers in Immunology 3:337.

36.    Johnson, C.A., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Ikejiani, A.O., Udoko, A.N., Cardenas, T.C., Pratap, S., Duquette, M.A., Lima, M.F., Lawler, J., Villalta, F., Nde, P.N. 2012. Thrombospondin-1 interacts with Trypanosoma cruzi surface calreticulin to enhance cellular infection. PLoS One 7: e40614.

37.    Liu, L., Sutton, J., Woodruff, E., Villalta, F., Spearman, P., Dong, X. 2012. Defective HIV-1 particle assembly in AP-3-deficient cells derived from patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 2. Journal of Virology 86:11242-11253. This paper was selected as a spotlight feature in the Journal Issue. 

38.    Nes, C.R., Singha, U.K., Liu, J., Ganapathy, K., Rosales, B.N., Lecordier, L. Pays, E., Villalta, F., Waterman, M.R., Vanhollebeke, B., Lepesheva, G.L., Chaudhuri, M., David Nes, W.D. 2012.  Novel sterol metabolic network of Trypanosoma brucei procyclic and bloodstream forms. Biochemical Journal 443:267-277. 

39.    Lepesheva, G.I, Villalta, F., Waterman, M. 2011. Targeting Trypanosoma cruzi sterol 14-demethylase (CYP51). Advances in Parasitology 75: 63-85.

40.    Kleshchenko, Y. Y., Karpenko, L.P., Villalta, F. 2010.  Effects of human defensin alpha-1 on Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro. Bull. Exp. Biol. Med. 149: 731-3. 

41.    Cardenas, T., Pratap, S., Nde, P.N., Johnson, C., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Furtak, Y., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2010. Regulation of the extracellular matrix interactome by Trypanosoma cruzi. The Open Parasitology Journal. 4:72-76. 

42.    Lepesheva, G.I., Hargrove, T.Y., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Furtak, V., Anderson, S., Wawrzak, Z., Villalta, F., Waterman, M.R. 2010.  Structural insights into inhibition of sterol-14-demethylase in the human pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. Journal of Biological Chemistry 285:25582-25590.

43.    Lepesheva, G.I., Park, H., Hargrove, T.Y., Vanhollebeke, B., Wawrzak, Z., Harp, J., Sundaramoorthy, M., Nes, W.D., Pays, E., Chaudhuri, M., Villalta, F., Waterman, M. R. 2010. Crystal structures of Trypanosoma brucei 14alpha-demethylase and implications for selective treatment of human infections. Journal of Biological Chemistry 285:1773-1780. Faculty of 1000. (Selected JBC paper of the week and image cover issue). This work and importance were highlighted by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Today in 2010, and in a special article in JBC: Don't Sleep on this Structure (JBC 2010. e9990). 

44.    Nde, P.N., Johnson, C.A., Pratap, P., Cardenas, T.C., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Furtak, Y. A., Simmons, K.J., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F.  2010.  Gene network analysis during early infection of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by Trypanosoma cruzi and its gp83 ligand. Chemistry and Biodiversity 7:1051-1064. 

45.    Villalta, F., Scharfstein, J., Ashton, A.W., Tyler, K.M., Guan, F., Mukherjee, S., Lima, M.F., Alvarez, S., Weiss L.M., Huang, H., Machado, F.S., Tanowitz, H.B. 2009. Perspectives on the Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell receptor interactions.  Parasitology Research 104:1251-1260. 

46.    Konkle, M.E., Hargrove, T.Y., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., von Kries, J.P., Ridenour, W., Caprioli, R.M., Marnett, L.J., Nes, W.D. Villalta, F., Waterman, M.R., Lepesheva, G.I. 2009. Indomethacin amides as a novel molecular scaffold for targeting Trypanosoma cruzi sterol 14-demethylase. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 52:2846-2853.

47.    Lepesheva, G.I, Villalta, F., Hargrove, T., Nes, D., Waterman, M. 2008. CYP51 as a Potential Target for Treatment of Human Infections with Trypanosomatidae. The
Proceedings of the 17th International Symposium on Microsomes and Drug Oxidations. July 2008 Saratoga Springs, NY, K706R9026 invited review.

48.    Lepesheva, G.I., Hargrove, T.Y., Kleshchenko, Y., Nes, W.D., Villalta, F., Waterman, M. R. 2008. CYP51: A major drug target in the Cytochrome P450 superfamily. Lipids 43:1117-1125.

49.    Villalta, F., Madison, M.N., Nde, P.N., Kleshchenko Y.Y., Lima, M.F. 2008. Molecular analysis of early host cell infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. Frontiers in Bioscience 13:3714-3734.

50.    Kawai, Y., Theodore M, Yang, J., Kleschenko, Y., Reddy S.P., Villalta, F., Arinze I.J.  2007. Multiple nuclear localization signals function in the nuclear import of the 
transcription factor Nrf2.  Journal of Biological Chemistry 283:8984-8994.

51.    Madison, M.N., Lima. M.F., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Nde, P.N., Simmons, K.J., Villalta, F. 2007. Mechanism of toxicity of human defensin alpha-1 against Trypanosoma cruzi. In Proceeding of the 13th International Congress of Immunology.   Kalil, J. Cunha-Neto, E., Rizzo, L.V. eds.  Medimond S.r.l. Press, Bologna, Italy. pp 447-451.  

52.    Madison M.N., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Nde, P.N., Simmons, K.N., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2007. Human defensin alpha-1 causes Trypanosoma cruzi membrane pore formation and induces DNA fragmentation, which leads to trypanosome destruction. Infection and Immunity 75:4780-4791.

53.    Augustine, A.J., Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Nde, P., Pratap, S., Ager, E.A., Burns, J.M. Jr., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2006.  Molecular cloning of a Trypanosoma cruzi cell surface casein kinase II substrate, Tc-1, involved in cellular infection. Infection and Immunity 74:3922-3929.

54.    Simmons, K., Nde, P., Kleschchenko, Y.Y., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2006.  Stable RNA interference of host thrombospondin-1 blocks Trypanosoma cruzi infection. FEBS Letters 50:2365-2370. 

55.    Nde, P.N., Simmons, K. Kleshchenko, Y.Y., Pratap, S., Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 2006.  Silencing of laminin -1 blocks Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Infection and Immunity 74:1643-1648.

56.    Moody, T.N., Kleshchenko, Y., Furtak, F.A. Ochieng, J. Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 
2004. Human Galectin-3 promotes Trypanosoma cruzi adhesion to human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Infection and Immunity 72:6717-6721. 

57.    Alexander, A.D., Villalta, F.,Lima, M.F. 2003. TGF binds to Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes to induce signaling and cellular proliferation. Infection and Immunity 71: 4201-4205. 

58.    Lima, M. F., Villalta, F. 2003. Chemokines and Trypanosoma cruzi infection.  In
Recent Research Developments in Infection and Immunity 1:77-83.  Transworld Research Network Publisher.

59.    Villalta, F., Lima, M. F. 2003. Trypanosoma cruzi ligands signal human macrophages pathways required for invasion. In Recent Research Developments in Infection and Immunity 1: 61-76.  Transworld Research Network Publisher.

60.    Ghansah, T., Ager, E., Freeman-Junior, P., Villalta, F., Lima, M.F. 2002.  Epidermal growth factor binds to a receptor on Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes to induce signal transduction events and proliferation.  Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 49:383-390.  

61.    Turner, C.W., Lima. M.F., Villalta, F. 2002. Trypanosoma cruzi uses a 45 kDa mucin for adhesion to mammalian cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research 
Communications 290:29-34. 

62.    Villalta, F., Smith, C.M., Ruiz-Ruano, A. and Lima, M.F. 2001.  A ligand that 
Trypanosoma cruzi uses o bind to mammalian cells to initiate infection. 
FEBS Letters 505:383-388.

63.    Moody, T., Ochieng, J., Villalta, F. 2000.  Novel mechanisms that Trypanosoma cruzi uses to adhere to the extracellular matrix mediated by human galectin-3.  
FEBS Letters 470:305-308. 

64.    Villalta, F., Zhang, Y., Bibb, K.E., Pratap, S., Burns, Jr., J.M., Lima, M.F. 1999. Signal transduction in human macrophages by gp83 ligand of Trypanosoma cruzi: Trypomastigote gp83 ligand up-regulates trypanosome entry through protein kinase C activation.  Molecular Cell Biology Research Communications 2:64-70.

65.    Villalta, F., Zhang, Y., Bibb, E.K., Burns, Jr. J.M., Lima, M.F. 1998. Signal
transduction in human macrophages by gp83 ligand of Trypanosoma cruzi: 
Trypomastigote gp83 ligand up-regulates trypanosome entry through the MAP kinase pathway. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 249:247-252.

66.    Villalta, F., Zhang, Y., F. M., Bibb, E.K., Kappes, J.C., Lima, M.F. 1998. The CC-chemokines RANTES, MIP-1-and MIP-1 induce trypanocidal activity of human macrophages via nitric oxide. Infection and Immunity 66:4690-4695. 

67.    Lima, M.F., Zhang, Y., Villalta, F. 1997. -chemokines that inhibit HIV-1 infection of human macrophages stimulate uptake and promote destruction of Trypanosoma 
cruzi by human macrophages. Cellular and Molecular Biology 43:1067-1076.

68.    Villalta, F., Smith, C.M., Burns, Jr., J.M., Chaudhuri, G., Lima. M.F. 1996.  Fab" 
fragments of a mAb to a member of the family 2 of trans-sialidases of Trypanosoma 
cruzi block trypanosome invasion of host cells and neutralize infection by passive immunization. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sc.  797:242-245.

69.    Villalta, F., Ferraz, J.C., Smith, C., Burns, Jr., J.M., Chaudhuri, G., Ruiz-Ruano, A.,
Lima, M.F. 1994. A trans-sialidase gp83 of highly invasive trypomastigote clones of Trypanosoma cruzi binds to mammalian cells and appears to mediate in vitro and in vivo infection. Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz 89:27-29.

70.    Villalta, F., Ruiz-Ruano, A., Valentine, A.A., Lima, M.F. 1993. Purification of a surface 74-kDa glycoprotein from heart myoblasts that inhibits the binding and entry of Trypanosoma cruzi into heart cells. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 61:217-230.

71.    Villalta, F., Lima, M.F., Howard, S.A., Zhou, L., Ruiz-Ruano, A. 1992.  Purification of a Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote 60 kDa surface glycoprotein that primes and activates murine lymphocytes. Infection and Immunity 60:3025-3032.

72.    Villalta, F., Lima, M.F., Zhou, L., Ruiz-Ruano, A. 1992. Attachment of Trypanosoma cruzi to host cells: A monoclonal antibody recognizes a trypomastigote stage-specific epitope on the gp83 required for parasite attachment. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 182:6-13.

73.    Ruiz-Ruano, A., Villalta, F., Lima, M.F. 1991. Changes in polypeptide expression 
following Trypanosoma cruzi differentiation from trypomastigotes to amastigotes.
Biochemistry International 25:101-108.

74.    Villalta, F., Lima, M.F. 1990. Purification of Trypanosoma cruzi surface proteins 
involved in adhesion to host cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 172:925-931.

75.    Turrens, J.F., Villalta, F. 1990. Intermediary metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi. In 
"Chemotherapy in Trypanosomiasis". Ed. A.S. Peregrine. ILRAD, Nairobi, Kenya, 
pp 49-54.

76.    Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 1990. Trypanosoma cruzi receptors for human transferrin and their role. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 38:245-252.

77.    Noisin, E.L., Villalta, F. 1989. Fibronectin increases Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote binding to and uptake by murine and human monocytes. Infection and Immunity 57:1030-1034. 

78.    Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 1989. Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote clones differentially express a cell adhesion molecule. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 33: 159-170.

79.    Lima, M.F., Villalta, F. 1988. Host-cell attachment by Trypanosoma cruzi: Identification of an adhesion molecule. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 155:256-262.

80.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1987. Extracellular killing of Trypanosoma cruzi
 amastigotes by human eosinophils. Journal of Protozoology 34:285-290.

81.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1987. Insect-borne and culture-derived metacyclic 
Trypanosoma cruzi: differences in infectivity and virulence. American Journal of 
Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 36:529-532.

82.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1987. Role of membrane N-linked oligosaccharides in host cell interaction with invasive forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 22:109-114.

83.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1986. Effects of human colony-stimulating factor on the uptake and destruction of a pathogenic parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) by human neutrophils. Journal of Immunology 137:1703-1707.

84.    Kierszenbaum, F., Villalta, F., Tai, P. C. 1986. Kinetics of human eosinophil activation upon interaction with intracellular (amastigote) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Journal of Immunology 136:662-666.

85.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1985. The effect of swainsonine on the association of Trypanosoma cruzi with host cells. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 16:1-10.

86.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1985. Role of surface N-acetyl-glucosamine residues on host cell infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 845:216-222.

87.    Pankratz, H. S., Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1984. Uptake and destruction of 
Intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by murine macrophages. In Electron Microscopy. G. W. Bailey, Ed., San Francisco Press, Inc. San Francisco, CA, pp. 740-741.

88.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1984. Role of inflammatory cells in Chagas' disease. ll. Interactions of mouse macrophages and human monocytes with intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi: Uptake and mechanism of destruction. Journal of Immunology 133:3338-3343.

89.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1984. Enhanced multiplication of intracellular (amastigote) stages of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro. Journal of Protozoology 31:487-489.

90.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1984. Role of inflammatory cells in Chagas' disease. I. Uptake and mechanisms of destruction of intracellular (amastigote) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by human eosinophils. Journal of Immunology 132:2053-2058.

91.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1984. Host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi: Role of cell surface galactose residues. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 119:228-235.

92.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1983. Role of cell surface mannose residues in host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi.  Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 736:39-44.

93.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1983. Role of polymorphonuclear cells in Chagas' 
disease. I. Uptake and mechanisms of destruction of intracellular (amastigote) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by human neutrophils. Journal of Immunology 131:1504-1510.

94.    Kierszenbaum, F., Villalta, F., Pankratz, S.H. 1983. Separation of Trypanosoma cruzi infected from non-infected P815 cells. Acta Tropica 40:85-87.

95.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1983. Cross-reactivity of vector-borne metacyclic forms of Trypanosoma cruzi with mammalian and culture stages. Journal of Protozoology 30:329-331.

96.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1983. Immunization against a challenge with insect vector metacyclic forms of Trypanosoma cruzi simulating a natural infection. American Journal of Tropical Medicine 32:273-276.

97.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1982. Cross-reactivity between vector-transmissible
(metacyclic) and culture (epimastigote) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology Suppl 0: 652-653.

98.    Villalta, F., Kierszenbaum, F. 1982. Growth of isolated amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi in cell-free medium. Journal of Protozoology 29:570-576.

99.    Docampo, R., Moreno, S.N.J., Stoppani, A.O.M., Leon, W., Cruz, F.S., Villalta, F.,
Muniz, R.F.A. 1981. Mechanism of nifurtimox toxicity in different forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Biochemical Pharmacology 30:1947-1951.

100. Villalta, F., Oda, L., Alviano, C., Angluster, J., Leon, W. 1980. Phagocytosis of the 
three evolutionary stages of Trypanosoma cruzi.  Acta Tropica 38:375-381.

101. Villalta, F., Katzin, A.M., Leon, W., Gonzales-Cappa, S. 1980. Concanavalin A binding receptors on Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes. Journal of Parasitology 66:1053-1055.

102. Pereira, M.E.A., Loures, M.A., Villalta, F., Andrade, A.F.B. 1980. Lectin receptors as markers for Trypanosoma cruzi. Developmental stages and a study of the interaction of wheat-germ agglutinin with sialic acid residues on epimastigote cells. Journal of Experimental Medicine 152:1375-1392.

103. Leon, W., Villalta, F., Queiroz, T., Szarfman, A. 1979. Antibody-induced capping of the intracellular stage of Trypanosoma cruzi. Infection and Immunity 26:1218-1220.

104. Villalta, F., de Souza, W., Leon, W. 1979. The effect of Lampit on Trypanosoma cruzi in mice organs and in the bloodstream. Parasitology Research 61:21-28.

105. Villalta, F., Leon, W. 1979. Effect of purification by DEAE-cellulose column on infectivity of Trypanosoma cruzi blood forms. Journal of Parasitology 65:188-189.