Rhiannon Heslop
r.heslop.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Research title: Host-parasite interactions of Trypanosoma parasites in skin colonisation of their mammalian hosts
Research Summary
Research Interests
My research focuses on host-parasite interactions in neglected tropical diseases, aiming to enhance our understanding of human immune responses to infection. I am particularly interested in using multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms that drive disease persistence and transmission.
Current Work
My PhD research explores host-parasite interactions during Trypanosoma brucei colonisation of the skin. Specifically, I aim to investigate the mechanisms by which trypanosomes invade and persist in the skin, as well as the host’s skin-specific immune responses to T. brucei infection.
To address these questions, I use a combination of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and targeted RNAi library screens. Through this work, we aim to identify key factors contributing to disease persistence and gain a deeper understanding of the role of skin-resident parasites in the transmission of human African trypanosomiasis.