My research interests are in the pathogenesis and mechanisms of persistence of vector-borne pathogens, with a long term goal of developing vaccines against tick-borne diseases. Our short term objective is to better understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms that vector-borne intraerythrocytic agents utilize to invade and survive in cells of the mammalian and tick vector hosts. We use as a model Babesia species, protozoal pathogens of cattle closely related to Plasmodium species, the causative agents of malaria. Current studies focus on the role of antigenic variation and surface protein mosaic polymorphism in evasion of the immune response, and the role of babesial surface and rhoptry antigens in erythrocyte and tick cell invasion. Each of these surface and apical complex proteins is a candidate vaccine antigen. Additional molecules involved in persistence and development of protective immunity are being identified through genome sequencing of Babesia bovis, the most virulent of the babesial species of cattle.

Publications

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