Exploring the role of genetic and epigenetic variation in ivermectin resistant helminths
Supervisors
Dr Roz Laing, University of Glasgow
Dr Katarzyna Modrzynska, University of Glasgow
Dr Daniel Price, Moredun
Summary
Gastrointestinal helminths are ubiquitous in grazing livestock throughout the world, causing a significant animal health and economic burden. Related helminths of humans infect a quarter of the global population. Treatment and control of helminths in both animals and people relies on mass drug administration of the same few anthelmintic drugs, however widespread anthelmintic resistance threatens the sustainability of helminth control. This multidisciplinary PhD project will investigate the genetic and epigenetic basis of ivermectin resistance in a gastrointestinal helminth of sheep, Haemonchus contortus, to build on previous research and produce novel data on the regulation of gene expression in helminths.
The student will be supported by a friendly and diverse team with a breadth of experience in molecular parasitology, genetics and genomics, bioinformatics and anthelmintic resistance research. Training outcomes from the project include expertise in a range of molecular biology techniques, novel sequencing approaches, generation and analysis of large data, and science communication.