Welcome to the lab site

The current diversity in eukaryotic life has evolved from the last common eukaryotic ancestor over more than one billion years. Early in this series of events, the group of protozoa that gave rise to trypanosomes diverged from the lineage that gave rise to plants, fungi and animals. So today, trypanosomes are the result of separate evolution of molecular processes over one billion years and they have accumulated many unique and inherently interesting aspects to their biology.

The aim of the lab is to determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie some of the unique aspects of the biology of trypanosomes and other related protozoa.

Trypanosomes are best known as pathogens causing a range of the neglected diseases that are a major contributor to poverty. Most of the work in the lab uses African trypanosomes, the causal agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness) and a range of livestock diseases that probably are the major limiting factor in pastoral livestock productivity in Africa.

The projects in the lab fall into two groups aimed at answering these questions:

1. 1.How does the trypanosome cell surface facilitate growth and survival in the mammalian host?
   

2. 2.How are mRNA levels altered in response to environmental queues?
   

Use the menu at the top of the page to find out more about our research and if you are interested in joining the lab.