糖心原创

Parasites Research Group

Key aims and expertise

The parasitology group studies parasites ranging from intracellular protozoa, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, to large multi-cellular worms including Fasciola hepatica.

Areas of investigation include:

• The function of parasite-derived molecules in controlling host immunity thereby enhancing survival of both pathogen and host.

• The role of macrophages, T-cells and regulatory cytokines in controlling parasitic infection and the effects of these in bystander infection.

• Various aspects of protozoa infection including neuroparasitology, stress tolerance in T. gondii, bradyzoite-tachyzoite conversion, and the development of novel invertebrate models of infection.  

Current projects

1. Some of our currently active projects are listed below with the name of a contact person for further information:
2. The function of monocyte and macrophage derived cytokines in directing T-cell responses during infection () 
3. Fasciola hepatica: Bioinformatic approaches for identification of diagnostic and vaccine targets () 
4. Co-infection of cattle with Fasciola hepatica and Mycobacterium bovis: Implications for animal health and welfare () 
5. Perturbation of mitochondrial signalling pathways in endothelial cells infected with Neospora caninum () 
6. Locusts as an alternative infection model to study Neospora caninum neuropathogenesis () 
7. Integrated nano-imaging system for studying and treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infection-related eye disease () 
8. Novel therapeutic strategies for Acanthamoeba keratitis 
   () 
9. Label-free visualisation of lipid changes within blood brain barrier cells under parasite attack by 3rd harmonic generation microscopy () 
10. Infection-associated encephalopathy: alterations in neuronal function underlying the neuronal deficits in toxoplasma gondii and viral infection () 
11. WildTech: novel technologies for surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infections of wildlife ()

Significant results