Prospectus – Vet Graduate School The Institute for Comparative Medicine This new Institute has been established as the research division of the School, and to promote an integrated approach to research strategy and planning. The Institute has a strong and diverse research profile much of which is directed towards the fundamental problems common to Veterinary and Medical diseases. Research within the Institute of Comparative Medicine is organised into four themes (Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Comparative Pathobiology, Animal Health). These four research themes encompass nine focussed sections that represent the major research activity of the Institute. Resources • Well equipped laboratories • Library • Study areas • PC & On-line access Research Groups Infection and Immunity (Contact: Prof. Andy Tait;
[email protected]) Molecular and Immunobiology of Parasitism (Contact Prof. E. Devaney;
[email protected]) The research of this group, which includes the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology (contact Prof. D.Barry;
[email protected]), focuses on nematodes and protozoa, and involves molecular and immunological approaches to the understanding of their biology, immune evasion and pathogenesis. The fundamental knowledge which flows from these studies is being applied in the development of novel chemotherapeutics and vaccines. Research on nematodes uses C.elegans as a model system to investigate the development of the cuticle and to analyse the functional roles of key parasite-derived molecules. This research is directed at both the functional analysis of factors determining the expression of environmentally and developmentally regulated genes, as well as parasite regulation of the host immune response.