Dr Jack Sunter

I am module leader for Molecular Biology and Research Methods for Healthcare Sciences modules.

I also contribute to the teaching of the Microbiology and Genomic medicine modules and supervise final year undergraduate research projects in the lab.

I currently supervise 3 PhD students - Clare Halliday, Laura Smithson and Lauren Wilburn.

In my lab, we use the flagellated eukaryotic parasites Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania mexicana to understand the fundamental processes that define the cell organisation underlying parasite interactions with their hosts and vectors. The distinctive shape of trypanosomes and Leishmania is formed by a corset of cross-linked microtubules that are just beneath the cell membrane and both have a flagellum that provides the propulsive force enabling them to move. We focus on understanding the morphogenesis of cytoskeletal-membrane interfaces that contribute to i) cell and substrate attachments, ii) interaction with the insect vector and mammalian host. To do this we use a range of modern molecular cell biology techniques combined with both light end electron microscopy.

We have strong links with research groups in Africa, primarily at the University of Ghana and we are combining our expertise to  understand in detail the impact of animal African trypanosomiasis and develop new approaches to combat it.

My group regularly engages the public primarily through the Brookes Science Bazaar where we demonstrate how we can use microscopy to investigate the fascinating biology of parasites.