Welcome at the Chair for Experimental Parasitology
Protozoan parasites represent fascinating organisms with their own evolutionary history, giving rise to unique adaptation and novel biological pathways that can be very distinct to other eukaryotes. In fact, one has to consider that much of our knowledge on fundamental biological processes has been derived from a single eukaryotic clade, the ophistokonts (from yeast to human) and current research demonstrates that biochemical pathways, organelles and even basic processes, such as gene regulation mechanisms can be very distinct between different phyli.
At the Chair for Experimental Parasitology we believe that understanding similarities and differences between protozoan parasites and other eukaryotes (i.e. their hosts) will not only lead to important insights in fundamental biology and provide a snapshot of the evolution of certain processes, it will also lead directly to a better understanding of the unique biology of protozoan parasites and therefore to future translational approaches that can lead to novel intervention strategies against these important pathogens.
Activities of the Chair
The activity of the Chair of Experimental Parasitology is divided between Research, Teaching and Diagnostic
Chair News – Funding and Publications
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New Publication in Nature CommunicationsNew work from the Jimenez-Ruiz group reveals how two methyltransferases coordinate the initiation of parasite motility.
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New Publication in Nano LettersNew work led by Javier Periz uses graphene energy transfer to pinpoint the position of the Toxoplasma Myosin A motor with nanometric precision.
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Our Nature Protocols paper is out!A big shoutout to Raúl, Sandra and everyone’s involved for developing a high-sensitivity scRNA-seq method.
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EMBO funds Belén's Research Project!Congratulations to Belén on being awarded an EMBO Fellowship, a highly competitive award supporting her research. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition with her.
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DFG Research Grant Awarded to Dr Elena Jimenez-RuizDr Elena Jimenez-Ruiz receives a three-year DFG Research Grant to explore methylation in apicomplexan parasites.
Chair News: Events and Activities
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DFG EXIT Programme: A Successful Conclusion
The DFG EXIT Priority Programme concludes after six productive years of research, collaboration and exciting discoveries.
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Summer Party Time!Good food, live music and great company made for a fantastic lab summer party, with an extra special reason to celebrate this year!
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Congratulations, Dr Peipei Qin!Peipei Qin successfully defended her PhD thesis and was awarded the distinction summa cum laude. Congratulations, Dr Qin!
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Welcome Rosalba Cruz Miron!Rosalba Cruz Miron joins the Chair of Experimental Parasitology as a postdoctoral researcher. Welcome to the team!
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Our Chair at Toxo18 in BrazilMarkus Meissner, Elena Jimenez-Ruiz and Vitoria Castor joined the international Toxoplasma community at Toxo18 in Brazil.
