RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED IN FOUR MAJOR AREAS

(1) Cellular, molecular and biochemical interactions between the host and parasite

(a) Iron acquisition and its effect on infections with parasitic Protozoa

(b) Lectins involved in parasite interactions with vectors and intermediate hosts and their effects on parasite development and transmission

(c) Biology of Microspora and their interaction with the host cell

(2) Metabolism of parasitic Protozoa, mode of action of antiparasitic drugs and mechanisms of drug resistance

(a) Hydrogenosomes and nitroimidazole resistance

(b) Antimicrotubular drugs and cytoskeleton of protozoan parasites

(3) Immunosuppressive effect of saliva of bloodsucking insects

(4) Molecular phylogenetics of parasitic protists

MAIN ORGANISMS STUDIED

Trichomonads, Giardia and other metamonads, heteroxenous coccidia and trypanosomes of birds, Leishmania-Phlebotomus interactions, snail-trematode interactions, Trichobilharzia, Diplostomum, triatomid bugs, lice