About the Project
Eukaryotic protozoan parasites cause a range of serious and wide-spread infectious diseases in both humans and domestic animals, which frequently serve as reservoirs for infection. Cryptosporidium species (26 known) are protozoa, related to the malaria parasite (Plasmodium species), which cause severe diarrhoea leading to chronic disease in the immuno-compromised and significant infant mortality in the developing world. Very recently, 300,000 homes were affected when a water treatment works in Lancashire was found to be contaminated with encysted, environmental stable Cryptosporidium oocysts. As its name suggests, little is known about the lifestyle of Cryptosporidium and this project seeks exploit some usual variation between species to allow understanding of the interaction of the parasite with its host cell. Using a series of analytical technologies, coupled with cell and evolutionary biology expertiise, we will identify ‘weak’ points in the parasite-host relationship which can be targeted for new, much needed, therapies.
Funding Notes
This project is in competition with others for funding. Success will depend on the quality of applications received, relative to those for competing projects. If you are interested in applying, in the first instance contact the supervisor, with a CV and covering letter, detailing your reasons for applying for the project.
References
Pratt, S., Wansadhipathi-Kannangara, N.K., Bruce, C.R. , Mina, J.G., Shams-Eldin, H., Casas, J. Hanada, K., Schwarz, R.T. Sonda, S. & Denny, P.W. 2013
Sphingolipid synthesis and scavenging in the intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 187:43-51
Jackson A.P., Otto .T.D., Darby A., Ramaprasad A., Xia D. et al. 2014.
The evolutionary dynamics of variant antigen genes in Babesia reveal a history of genomic innovation underlying host-parasite interaction.
Nucleic Acids Research, 42:7113-31
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