Malaria: Killer Disease

Closes March 2015
Hunterian Museum
Admission free

Many diseases in humans and other animals are caused by parasites, organisms that live in or on the bodies of their hosts and cause debilitating or fatal effects. Various research groupings within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow conduct world leading research on many parasitic diseases.

The Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology (WTCMP) focuses on four principal diseases, all caused by protozoan organisms – malaria, sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis.

Malaria

This Science Showcase focuses on malaria, the most devastating disease of the tropics which has afflicted mankind throughout history and has only been scientifically understood in the last 150 years.

Malaria: Killer Disease examines the disease, its history and current research at Glasgow into prevention and cure.

The life cycle of malaria is complex involving both a human host and the female Anopheles mosquito. There are five species of the Plasmodium parasite but Plasmodium falciparum is by far the most deadly and is responsible for 90% of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.

Other parasitic diseases

‌‌‌Sleeping sickness 
African trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic disease of people and animals and is transmitted via the bite of the tsetse fly. In humans the parasite can reach the brain causing coma, hence the name sleeping sickness. In animals it is called Nagana and causes severe weight loss leading to major economic loss for cattle farmers.

‌‌‌Leishmania 
The Leishmania old parasites are spread via the bite of the sandfly. It is found in parts of the tropics and subtropics. ‌There are several different forms of leishmaniasis in people. The most common forms are cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores, and visceral leishmaniasis, which affects the spleen and liver.‌

‌‌Toxoplasma
Found worldwide, Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii and is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals. Up to a third of the world's human population is estimated to carry a Toxoplasma infection. The primary host is ‌the felid (cat) family. ‌Infection occurs by ingesting water, soil, vegetables, meat or anything contaminated with oocysts shed in the ‌faeces of an infected animal. Toxoplasmosis is a serious health risk for individuals that are immunocompromised or in the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Other interesting links

Global Health Centre
Global Health Centre is a joint venture between The Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow, The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and international partners in Malawi, India and Ecuador. The joint Centre for Global Health Research aims to promote excellent science and collaborations with international partners, across a wide spectrum of global health disciplines will allow research to be conducted in settings with the greatest disease burden.

Tropical Encounter
The Scottish Encounter with Tropical Disease by Professor Mike Barrett, tracks the enormous contribution that Scottish scientists made to the area of Tropical Disease. The booklet is free to download and if any audience wishes to book the exhibition and Prof Barrett for an event please e-mail Alex Mackay. 

Outreach Work
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology run numerous outreach activities for schools, science fairs and festivals, Advanced Higher Biology practical sessions, participation in the National STEM week and much more. Click here and here to find out more. For more information please contact Alex MacKay. 

Researcher in the Field
This is a series of podcasts and contains footage gathered by Professor Paul Garside during his recent research trip to Africa. The trip spanned six months, three months in Kilifi, Kenya and three in Malawi. The aim of the trip was to establish research collaborations with African scientists and to take the University of Glasgow's scientific and public engagement materials and knowledge to schools, health care professionals and charities in Africa.

‌Comics 
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology has produce three very successful comics which are freely available to download. These comics are suitable for all age groups to raise awareness and illustrate the devastating effects of parasitic diseases.

Related Events

Malaria Insight Talk
Tuesday 9 September 2014
1.00pm 
Hunterian Museum
Admission free
Malaria: Killer Disease by Dr Sonya Taylor, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow

Parasite Critters
6 – 17 October 2014
Hunterian Museum
Admission free
Crafty people from Glasgow and beyond have created larger than life critters, which will nestle on the Museum balcony before they are sent around the world as teaching aids. The 'critters' include mosquitos, sand flies, tsetse flies and the Scottish midge. Part of National Biology Week.

Crafty Critters Insight Talk
Tuesday 7 October 2014 
1.00pm
Hunterian Museum
Admission Free
Dr Mhairi Stewart, Wellcome Trust Centre For Molecular Parasitology

Malaria Science Showcase Talk 
Friday 10 October 2014
1.00pm
Hunterian Museum
Admission free
Dr Mhairi Stewart from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology talks about using art to engage both researchers and the public in science outreach. Part of National Biology Week.

Critters Evening Reception
Friday 10 October 2014
5.30pm – 7.00pm
Admission free
Hunterian Museum
Come along to our evening reception and find out more about the inspiration behind the critters, how they will be used and the diseases they represent. Part of National Biology Week.

Malaria Science Sunday Activities
Sunday 12 October 2014
2.00pm – 3.30pm
Hunterian Museum
Admission free
Drop in activities for all the family - Host with the Most, Crafty Critters, Parasitebusters, and our extra gross table of worms! Part of National Biology Week.

Historical Reflections from the Museum
Friday 5 December 2014
1.00pm - 1.30pm
Hunterian Museum
Admission free
Geoff Hancock from The Hunterian looks at the earlier days of mosquito studies.