Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions. The completion of genome projects for several helminths of veterinary significance has provided novel insights into the fundamentals of helminth biology. One outcome is the identification of microRNAs, a subclass of small regulatory RNAs which in plants and mammalian cells control diverse biological processes at the posttranscriptional level. We have discovered the presence of helminth miRNAs within host cells with the ability t ....Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions. The completion of genome projects for several helminths of veterinary significance has provided novel insights into the fundamentals of helminth biology. One outcome is the identification of microRNAs, a subclass of small regulatory RNAs which in plants and mammalian cells control diverse biological processes at the posttranscriptional level. We have discovered the presence of helminth miRNAs within host cells with the ability to mimic mammalian miRNAs to modulate innate immune responses. This project will discover how helminths hijack the mammalian miRNA machinery to regulate host gene expression and thus support long-term infection. The outcomes will highlight new avenues for the control of these persistent worm infections.Read moreRead less
Novel Babesia proteins and their roles in the pathogenesis of tick fever. This project aims at gaining a deep understanding of the biology of Babesia parasites and how they cause tick fever in cattle. The project expects to discover novel parasite proteins involved in the development and persistence of tick fever and identify their functional role in infection. The main expected outcome is the discovery of parasite proteins that are critical for infection and pathogenesis of cattle tick fever. T ....Novel Babesia proteins and their roles in the pathogenesis of tick fever. This project aims at gaining a deep understanding of the biology of Babesia parasites and how they cause tick fever in cattle. The project expects to discover novel parasite proteins involved in the development and persistence of tick fever and identify their functional role in infection. The main expected outcome is the discovery of parasite proteins that are critical for infection and pathogenesis of cattle tick fever. The findings will contribute to the development of future novel vaccines to control tick fever, with significant economic benefits for the beef and dairy industries worldwide.Read moreRead less