Parasitologist
Email b.russell@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 7082
Appointed: 2016
Teaching roles
- CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
- HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
- MICR 332 Health Microbiology (Convenor)
- MICR 464 Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Current research
Vivax Malaria (or Relapsing Malaria) is the most widely distributed, difficult to diagnose and treat cause of human malaria.
Our laboratory focuses in of the biology of the parasite Plasmodium vivax (the cause of vivax malaria) and how we can kill it using therapeutics or vaccinations.
To do this we have developed key ex vivo tools and methods to examine P. vivax drug susceptibility and reticulocyte invasion. These methods are optimised for use in malaria endemic regions. We also utilise a continuous culture of P. cynomolgi (an excellent model of P. vivax) to study the molecular mechanisms underlying P. vivax pathobiology.
In addition to vivax malaria we also contend research into the biology and epidemiology of protozoal parasites of importance to human health in New Zealand.
Key laboratory activities
- Malaria
- Developing effective medical products (antimalarials and antiprotozoal drugs) and research tools (diagnostic and surveillance) for resource poor locations with the view to control vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue; as well as other parasitic diseases of importance to human health.
- Better understanding the pathobiology, antimalarial sensitivity profiles and Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax and other important primate malarias (P. cynomolgi, P. knowlesi and P. coatneyi)
- Detailed studies of the biomechanical, cytoadhesive and nanostructure changes to red blood cell pre and post Plasmodium spp. infection
- Cryptosporidiosis (Team Leader Dr Remy Muhsin)
- Fundamental biology of Cryptosporidium spp.
- Cryptosporidiosis drug discovery and development
Current group members
Professor Bruce Russell
Principal Investigator
b.russell@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 7082
Postdoctoral staff
- Dr Noi Suwanarusk: Visiting Scientist
- Dr Remy Muhsin: Visiting Scientist
Postgraduate students
- Jessica Matheson:PhD student (Malaria)
- Bridget Lamont: PhD student (Cryptosporidium)
- Laura Saywell: MSc student (Cryptosporidium)