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Our
research focuses on the mitochondrial adaptations of anaerobic
microbial eukaryotes and we have two research directions in our group:
1.
Several important human parasites are adapted to life in anoxic or
low-oxygen environments such as our intestines. Despite their success
to thrive in these environments and cause disease and death in humans,
that adaptation might be exploited as human enzymes are adapted to more
oxygen-rich environments. By studying these biochemical adaptations of
parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis and
Trichomonas
vaginalis, we hope to be able to ultimately combat these human
pathogens.
2.
As anaerobic biochemistry seems widespread in all eukaryotes, we hope,
by performing comparative genomics studies, to be able to identify an
ancient core of anaerobic eukaryotic enzymes. The rationale being
that eukaryotes evolved at a time when the global ocean chemistry was
dominated by much lower oxygen concentrations than nowadays.
Our
lab uses a variety of techniques to answer our research questions.
Molecular
biology, cell biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and next-generation
sequencing methods are routinely
used in our lab. If you are looking for a lab where to use modern
techniques applied to parasites and protists, then please get in touch!
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