Research on Intestinal Protozoa
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Humans are host to a large number of different species of intestinal protozoan parasite but only a few are known to cause severe disease. The most important of these is Entamoeba histolytica which causes amoebic dysentery and liver abscess and may be responsible for up to 100,000 deaths annually. Various aspects of the genetics, cell biology, epidemiology and evolution of this organism and other species of the genus Entamoeba are studied in the laboratories of Dr. Graham Clark. In addition, other species of intestinal protozoa, including Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis hominis are also studied in his laboratory. In particular, the genetic diversity and the evolution of the mitochondrion in Blastocystis are current areas of research focus. Current research projects: Laboratory of Dr. Graham Clark: Genetic diversity in 'non-pathogenic' intestinal protozoa |
