Molecular mechanisms mediating immune evasion in African trypanosomes

Gloria investigates African trypanosomes, which cause African sleeping sickness. Trypanosomes provide a very manipulable experimental system for investigating the molecular machinery behind pathogenicity. Gloria would like to understand how these extracellular parasites are so effective at immune evasion, and the role of the protective VSG coat in this process. She has a particular interest in gene expression and has been focusing on the role of epigenetic factors in transcriptional control. In addition, she is investigating the molecular biology behind the synthesis of the VSG surface coat. Hopefully, this research will help us understand why trypanosomes are such effective pathogens.