Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium and its Sources in Drinking Water Catchments in North Wales
Supervisors:
Prof William Weir, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine (University of Glasgow)
Dr Frank Katzer, Moredun Research Institute
Prof James Cotton, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine (University of Glasgow)
Alwyn M Roberts, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Summary:
The project focuses on a single-celled parasite, called Cryptosporidium, which causes diarrhoeal disease in humans and neonatal ruminants. Testing for Cryptosporidium is undertaken routinely by drinking water supply companies to guarantee safe potable water for their consumers. However, the current methodologies are very labour intensive and do not directly inform the water providers if the Cryptosporidium species detected is either viable or infective to humans. The aims of the project are twofold. The first is to develop an improved diagnostic technique for the detection and species identification of Cryptosporidium in environmental samples, which can be used by drinking water suppliers as an alternative to their current detection methods. The second aim is to conduct longitudinal epidemiological studies within water catchment areas, which have frequent issues with Cryptosporidium and this will allow the identification of sources of contamination. During this work, the student will liaise with farmers to provide information and advice to help them manage Cryptosporidium infection within their herds/flocks to minimise disease and environmental contamination. The student will become familiar with bioinformatics, development and validation of molecular biology based diagnostic tests, microbiology drinking water safety techniques as well as communications skills to different audiences including academia, the livestock farming sector and the water industry.