The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology (360G-Wellcome-073990_Z_03_C)

The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology The Centre originated in 1987, when Anty Tait and Dave Barry were funded by the Wellcome Trust to set up the Wellcome Unit of Molecular Parasitology, to apply molecular, genetic and biochemical technologies to the investigation of basic questions in the biology of parasites. The Unit had some core funding and was based in the Dept Veterinary Parasitology (Tait) and the Institute of Genetics (Barry), on separate campuses of the University of Glasgow. In 1994, via a grant for the Wellcome Trust, the Unit was amalgamated in new laboratories in the Anderson College. At the quinquennial review in 1998, the Unit applied successfully for Wellcome Trust Centre status. In June 2005, the Centre will move to the new Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre (JIIF/SRIF funded), along with immunobiologists and structural biologists. The Centre is a hub of parasitologists using a wide range of modern approaches to understanding aspects of the organismal biology of parasites. Its missions are: Form a centre of excellence for the molecular and genetic study of parasites Provide and sustain a modern laboratory environment Provide quality research training for science and veterinary graduates. The Centre has 8 research groups (and Acosta-Serrano from Sept 2003), studying mainly 5 parasite genera and the free-living nematode C. elegans, an excellent model for parasitic nematodes, which are diffi8uclt to study. Its research programmes are integrated into three of these themes. The first is the generation of diversity, which is core to the success of parasites. The second, which overlaps with the first, is the control and synthesis of surface molecules, many of which are key to host-parasite interaction. The third is differentiation through the life and cell cycle, steps essential for colonisation of, and transmission between, hosts. Due to the several levels of discussion within the Centre, there is much exchange of ideas within each theme and several of the groups have major collaborations, through to publication level.