IMPORTANCE

Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms that cause schistosomiasis, a major parasitic disease that affects over 200 million people globally. Currently, there is a single available treatment, Praziquantel, which is effective in killing mature schistosomes, but is less effective towards immature schistosomes and does not prevent re-infection. Moreover, no vaccines are available and drug-resistant strains have been reported. Therefore, developing new approaches to target these parasites is urgently needed. 

OUR MOTIVATION 

Schistosomes have a remarkable ability to thrive inside the host. They infect through the skin of a mammalian host and navigate through different tissue environments to reach the blood vessel. There, they consume blood for development and reproduction while withstanding the host immunity for decades. However, the molecular basis of schistosome development and its role in parasite survival and host-parasite interaction remain poorly understood. This is the main question that motivates our research. 

WHAT WE DO 

Our laboratory uses Schistosoma mansoni as a model and employs molecular and functional genomic tools including (single-cell) transcriptomics, in situ hybridization, RNA interference, and high-resolution microscopy. We use mouse as a mammalian host to introduce genetically perturbed parasites, to dissect the mechanisms of gene function and host-parasite relations. Furthermore, we are also developing novel bioengineered platforms that mimic host micro/macro environments, to better investigate the intra-mammalian schistosome development and host-parasite interaction. Together, by understanding schistosome biology, we hope to discover new ways to target these parasites, thereby contributing to the fight against schistosomiasis.