Phagocytosis refers to the process by which cells are able to ingest large particles (>1 μm). In vertebrates, phagocytosis plays a role in the immune response, tissue development, and the removal of apoptotic cells. In lower eukaryotes, such as the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, phagocytosis provides a means of ingesting other microorganisms to meet the nutritional needs of the cell.

This website seeks to bring together information derived from studies of phagocytosis in Tetrahymena thermophila. The site currently contains a searchable bibliography of the published literature on phagocytosis in Tetrahymena, with available links, an image gallery, and information on proteins identified in an analysis of the Tetrahymena phagosome proteome by mass spectrometry.

Some of the material contained on this website is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. MCB-0343813 to L. Klobutcher. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.