An ultrastructrual analysis of the model gastrointestinal nematode Trichuris muris

Infection by gastrointestinal nematode parasites is one of the most common types of parasitic infection in man and animals worldwide. Our understanding of the biology and immunology of these types of infection has been greatly aided by the study of laboratory model systems. One of the model systems that has been at the forefront of these studies is the whipworm, Trichuris muris a parasite related very closely to the human whipworm T.trichiura. Surprisingly however, there are still important gaps in our knowledge about the fundamental biology of the parasite throughout all of its life cycle stages. The present project aims to provide an in depth analysis of the ultrastructure of mouse whipworm using state of the art electron microscopical techniques. This project will be aided by the related ongoing research into the immune response to mouse whipworm and the recently completed draft Trichuris muris genome.
This project will provide the student with a comprehensive training in a broad range of contemporary electron microscopical techniques including both scanning and transmission approaches in addition to basic parasitology.