Our research group studies the biology of helminths that affect over 1 billion people worldwide. We employ both experimental and computational approaches to understand fundamental biological processes during the life of parasitic flatworms, including blood and liver flukes in the genus Schistosoma and Fasciola, respectively. We generate and employ large-scale sequencing datasets (‘omics’), to reveal cells, genes, proteins and pathways underlying the infection process, parasite development and interaction with the hosts. Cells and tissues that proliferate and differentiate during parasite development are further validated by in situ localisation of gene products (e.g. transcripts and proteins) and imaging analysis. The functional roles of relevant parasite genes and pathways are investigated using gene expression perturbation approaches, such as RNA interference and phenotyping.
We also focus on technology development applied to these parasites to facilitate the assessment of hypotheses. We are developing in vitro long-term culture systems and preservation of developmental stages of schistosomes, as well as CRISPR-Cas based genome editing to eventually derive transgenic lines.
Other lines of research, in collaboration with colleagues in UK and abroad include: (1) links between schistosomiasis and host microbiota dysbiosis, and (2) carcinogenesis associated with helminthiasis.
The study of fundamental questions on parasite biology will eventually unveil targets for novel control strategies that are desperately needed.
