The complete interaction between Trypanosoma brucei and mammalian host proteins

African trypanosomes are single-celled parasites which cause disease in humans, domestic livestock and wild animals. They can survive for a long time in mammals by exploiting the host for nutrients and avoiding the host immune defences. To do this, trypanosomes have receptor molecules on their surfaces which stick to molecules found in mammalian blood. 

I aim to understand how trypanosomes bind to and use host nutrients. I also aim to understand how their receptors are adapted to allow them to avoid destruction by the host immune defences. This work will reveal what each of the different receptors on the trypanosome does, how they bind to their mammalian ligands and how they avoid being detected. 

This work will improve our understanding of how trypanosomes are able to survive and proliferate in mammals and how they cause disease.