In December 2014, the School of Biosciences’ lecturer in Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, Dr. Anastasios Tsaousis was awarded a research grant for his research project on\u00a0the mitochondrion-related organelles of Blastocystis.<\/p>\n
The funding amounted to \u00a3383, 723 and was awarded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for three years to start this month until March 2018.<\/p>\n
Here is a lay summary about the research, by Dr. Tsaousis:<\/p>\n
Blastocystis<\/em> is a single cell eukaryotic organism with undetermined pathogenicity. It is currently estimated that this organism is present in the guts of more than a million people worldwide with several reports showing an association of this organism with gastrointestinal diseases including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).<\/p>\n Blastocystis<\/em> also has another unique characteristic: it has adapted to survive in environments that lack any oxygen and it is therefore very difficult to maintain in culture. These characteristics make Blastocystis<\/em> unique and thus a model organism for investigating the adaptations of various organisms under anaerobic conditions.<\/p>\n In this project, we will investigate the adaptations of the mitochondria of Blastocystis<\/em>. Typical mitochondria are considered to be the \u201cpowerhouses of the cell\u201d and their energy production is based on aerobic respiration, which is completely dependent on the presence of oxygen.<\/p>\n Due to the unique lifestyle of Blastocystis <\/em>its mitochondria have adapted to a \u201clife without oxygen\u201d and accumulated unique characteristics to support the organism with energy along with other valuable components.<\/p>\n We will attempt to characterise these adaptations but also provide insights into how these mechanism can be used in synthetic biology and as anti-microbial drug-targets.<\/p>\n For more information about Dr. Tsaousis and to find out about his other research areas and interests, visit\u00a0http:\/\/www.kent.ac.uk\/bio\/profiles\/staff\/tsaousis.html\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n