Investigating the role of parasite apical complex ultrastructure in host cell invasion

Eukaryotic Apicomplexan parasites cause a number of important Human and Animal diseases such as Malaria, Toxoplasmosis and Coccidiosis. These parasites survive in the mammalian host by invading cells and survive within a specialized vacuole called a parasitophorous vacuole.

We used advanced electron microscopy techniques such as cellular electron tomography and serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) to investigate the ultrastructural organisation of parasites within this vacuole where we discovered a pore-like connection between the parasite and host that could be important for parasite survival (Burrell et al, 2022, PLOS Pathogens).

This is a joint collaboration with Prof. Fiona Tomley and Dr. Virginia Hernandez at The Royal Veterinary College, London, UK. The discovery of a pore connecting the parasite to the host during invasion is exciting as it might provide a mechanism for how parasites secrete proteins into host cells.

In this project, the student will use advanced light and electron microscopy to understand the timing of appearance of the pore and its role in parasite invasion in the mammalian host. The student will be hosted within our large and friendly parasitology grouping at Oxford Brookes University with other PhD students, post-docs and staff researchers, which is located within our Bioimaging centre. We will provide extensive training in bioimaging techniques allowing the student to work independently on a range of microscopes.

There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

Director of Studies: Prof. Sue Vaughan (Oxford Brookes University)

Other Supervisors: Prof. Fiona Tomley, Dr Virginia Hernandez (Royal Vet College).

Contact Prof. Sue Vaughan svaughan@brookes.ac.uk if you would like to discuss this further.