Grant: Project Grant

Leishmaniasis is one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases impacting over 1 billion of the world's poorest populations. The disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania and transmitted to humans by the bite of infected sandflies. The parasite can cause a broad spectrum of diseases, and in the worst cases leaving its victims disfigured for life or causing death. Public investment in prevention and treatment would decrease the burden of leishmaniasis and also help to alleviate poverty. However, there is currently no vaccine available, actual treatments are toxic or ineffective due to resistance, and the disease receives little attention from the media, pharma, and international organizations. Within mammalian macrophages, Leishmania replicates in the harsh environment of the phagolysosome to establish disease. Intracellular development of the parasite relies on post-transcriptional regulatory networks that control the expression of thousands of genes in a very dynamic and coordinated manner. My laboratory is at the leading edge of research in the field of Leishmania gene regulation and has made major discoveries that significantly advanced knowledge in this area. It has also pioneered the use of reverse genetics and Leishmania genomics and has developed various tools to help advance the field that are largely used by the community. As a follow-up of previous studies in my lab, our research program aims at investigating timely questions on how this intracellular pathogen regulates gene expression inside macrophages to ensure its survival and to establish disease. Outputs from this research program could lead to the identification of promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic and preventive strategies against this important human pathogen, hence impacting the health sector and foresee Canada as a main contributor to global health efforts. It will also contribute to job creation and training of highly qualified personnel.