Elmarie Myburgh

Abstract The identification of tissue-derived homeostatic molecules regulating immune plasticity is essential for understanding the role of macrophages in immune responses to intra-phagosomal pathogens. Developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1) is a functionally versatile homeostatic factor capable of inhibiting the onset of inflammation and promoting inflammation resolution, but its role in the response to intracellular infections has not been previously addressed.

Abstract The parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. The parasite enters the blood via the bite of the tsetse fly where it is wholly reliant on glycolysis for the production of ATP. Glycolytic enzymes have been regarded as challenging drug targets because of their highly conserved active sites and phosphorylated substrates.

Helminth parasites remain a major constraint upon human health and well-being in many parts of the world. Treatment of these infections relies upon a very small number of therapeutics, most of which were originally developed for use in animal health. A lack of high throughput screening systems, together with limitations of available animal models, has restricted the development of novel chemotherapeutics.