Program Overview
Using advanced techniques, researchers investigate the genomic basis of complex disease mechanisms and parasite evasion of host immune responses. The program also addresses antigenic discovery and vaccine development for parasitic infections like malaria and lymphatic filariasis.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Parasites continue to exert a massive burden of disease, especially in developing countries. Our research in medical parasitology spans the spectrum of basic and applied research, from parasite evolution to unraveling resistance mechanisms, and understanding protective immunity in order to develop vaccines. Liverpool's leading international reputation in infection research, tropical medicine and global health stretches back over 150 years. We use the latest functional genomic and proteomic techniques to understand the basic biology of parasites that cause endemic intestinal diseases in humans, such as cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis and amoebiasis, in the UK and worldwide. We use advanced 3D tissue culture models to study host-pathogen interactions at the intestinal epithelium, with particular emphasis on apicomplexan parasites. Our research is revealing the genomic basis to complex disease mechanisms like antigenic variation in trypanosomatid parasites, which cause neglected tropical diseases such as human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and leishmaniaisis. Using state-of-the-art imaging techniques, we are also investigating how parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, can evade and manipulate host immune responses for their own benefit. With respect to worm infections, we study the filarial parasites that cause onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis, including major programmes on vaccine development and the function of a bacterial symbiont in these worms (Wolbachia), which has become a novel target for antibiotic therapy. Finally, we investigate the molecular biology and behaviour of medically-important vectors such as the chigger mites, which transmit scrub typhus.
Other:
The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health was established to bring together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. It also complements other strengths in Liverpool, including the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, the Medicines for Children Research Network, and the Wellcome Trust Tropical Centre with its associated PhD programme. We also enjoy close and active collaboration with NHS colleagues through the Liverpool Health Partners Academic Health Science System.
|Duration | UK students | International Students | |---|---|---| |Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £29,750 (Band A)^ | |Faculty of Science and Engineering £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B)| |Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £23,400 (Band B)| |Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £14,900 (Band A)^ | |Faculty of Science and Engineering £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B)| |Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £11,700 (Band B)|
