Molecular Parasitology (Prof. A. Hehl)
Parasites rule!
The main focus of our lab is the cell biology and the biochemistry of
the single-celled protozoan parasites, Giardia lamblia and Toxoplasma
gondii. We study mechanisms and structures involved in host-parasite
interactions or relevant for transmission to a new host. Of special
interest are events linked to stage-differentiation of the Giardia
trophozoite to the environmentally resistant and infectious cyst form.
We investigate mechanisms of gene regulation, protein trafficking,
organelle genesis and maturation, lipid biosynthesis and formation of
the cyst wall. Because Giardia has undergone massive reductive
evolution and presents evidence for significant lateral gene transfer
it is a particularly interesting model for cell biology. The data
from the Giardia genome project also indicated that many complex
machineries have been stripped down to minimal functions in this
parasite. Giardial mitochondria are mere relic organelles but
nevertheless essential; peroxisomes and a steady-state Golgi apparatus
including associated proteins have been lost altogether. However,
Golgi–like cisternae which contain the components for the cyst wall
arise de novo during encystation making it possible to study neogenesis
maturation and disassembly of these organelles.
We are located at the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zürich and affiliated with the Life Sciences Zürich Graduate School.
