Projects
Context dependency of host-parasite interactions: Impact of Microcystis aeruginosa on parasitism in Daphnia magna KU Leuven
In the last decade, it has become clear that changing environmental conditions may affect host-parasite interactions. Nevertheless, it is often not clear in what way they affect these interactions. In freshwater ecosystems, changing circumstances, such as nutrient enrichment, can induce toxic cyanobacterial blooms. We here investigate whether the widespread and frequently studied cyanobacterial species Microcystis aeruginosa has an ...
Spacial analysis of host-parasite interactions in the skin across the clinical spectrum of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia Institute of Tropical Medicine
The spatial ecology of a highly endangered host-parasite interaction Ghent University
This project investigates the importance of mobility at three different spatial scales in a host-parasite system: individual, local and landscape scale. The digger wasp Bembix rostrate and her focal brood-parasitic fly will serve as a model to study how interactions -a neglected component of diversity- are affected by spatial environmental structure, thereby generating new insights in conservation biology.
High throughput analysis of Taenia excretory/secretory products for improved understanding of host-parasite interactions and optimization of immunodiagnostic tools in Taenia solium cysticercosis Ghent University
Taenia solium cysticercosis is the mot important cause of acquired epilepsy in developing countries. T. solium produces excretory/secretory products (ESP) at the interface between parasite and host. The biological functions of ESP are poorly understood. We propose a mass spectrometic analysis of ESP to better understand their role in host-parasite interactions and to refine existing immunodiagnostic techniques.
Transfection of Theileria parva and the role of genes encoding QP-rich proteins in host-parasite interactions Institute of Tropical Medicine
This proposal aims at developing stable transfection in T. parva through a systematic approach
starting with transient transfection, identification of suitable promoter
regions and the development of suitable selectable markers to be used in
integration plasmids. The use of a new generation transfection device and the
expertise in large sporozoite stabilate production should contribute
significantly ...