News
A BBSRC funded postdoctoral position is available to join our lab!
Join us on a joint project with Musa Hassan to apply CRISPR screening to investigate Toxoplasma infection in different hosts
https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/11712
Our first paper is published in mSphere, with Ksena’s expanded cysts making the cover image!
In this paper, Ksena (arduously) figured out how to expand Toxoplasma cysts, after showing that standard protocols were ineffective. We show fine detail of CST1 and GRA2 localisation in the cyst wall - and are really excited to apply this technique to discover more cyst biology!
Enzymatically enhanced ultrastructure expansion microscopy unlocks expansion of in vitro Toxoplasma gondii cysts. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00322-24
Ksena’s prizewinning microscopy!
Ksena got a winning entry at Nikon Small World Competition 2024 (Honourable Mention) for expanded Toxoplasma tachyzoites.
Image description: Acute-stage parasites of Toxoplasma in a human skin cell
Eight vacuoles filled with Toxoplasma gondii parasites in their acute stage of asexual cycle, residing in human skin cell (fibroblast, here invisible). The three colours highlight the inner membrane complex of the parasite (inner shell, magenta), microtubules (parasite skeleton, yellow), and DNA (blue).
Ksena’s Christmas tree got 1st place at MRF Festive Science Image Competition, run in partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to design their 2024 Season’s Greeting Card :
Conference time
Ksena and Elena attended the 17th International Congress on Toxoplasmosis in Berlin together. They listened to a lot of interesting talks on ongoing work across the spectrum of Toxoplasma research and sat outside to enjoy the sun and take a break to absorb it all.
Ksena also won a poster prize for her expansion microscopy work!
Elena visits the Blume lab
Elena had the opportunity to train with the Blume group based at the Robert Koch-Institut in Berlin for two weeks to learn everything about culturing immortalised human skeletal muscles and then infecting them with Toxoplasma. This trip was supported by a travel grant from the Royal Society of Biology, and you can read her travel report on their website:
https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/grants/travel-grants/selected-reports
Huge thanks to Debbie and Martin for all their help.
Science fun
Flora and Elena volunteered at the Edinburgh Science Festival 2024, demonstrating how to look at a variety of samples with either dissection or hand-held microscopes at the National Museum of Scotland.
Flora and Elena having fun “painting” impressive parasites with fluorescent bacteria.
Jan 2023 - Creeping winnings for Ksena
Ksena won Scottish Microscopy Society Image Competition 2022, nomination "Imaging in Action"
Image description:
Although not all facilities allow this, I bring my inner goblin with me for imaging whenever I can. That particular time happened on October 31, 2022, when some of my Toxoplasma parasites decided to glow red, proudly (and eerily) displaying their flashy mutations! So pretty that they lit up the tumultuous goblin soul, inspiring for an evening of breathtaking images.