Unlocking the helminth ‘early infection gap’ using 3D cell culture models

该项目旨在利用创新的3D细胞培养模型对关键的早期宿主-寄生虫相互作用的研究进行革命性的研究，减少我们对动物感染的依赖。肝吸虫是澳大利亚家畜中最重要的人畜共患寄生虫，是造成全球粮食不安全的重要因素。由于寄生虫依赖哺乳动物宿主生存，对其早期感染过程知之甚少。预期结果包括关于关键迁移刺激和肝吸虫生物学的新知识。好处包括通过开发无动物体外筛选平台来确定用于家畜的药物靶点和候选疫苗，这些平台将作为其他寄生虫的原型。

This project aims to revolutionise the study of critical early host-parasite interactions using innovative 3D cell culture models, reducing our dependence on animal infections. Liver fluke is the most economically important zoonotic parasite of Australian livestock and is a significant contributor to global food insecurity. Due to the reliance of parasites on mammalian hosts to survive, very little is known about the early infection process. Expected outcomes include new knowledge on key migratory stimuli and liver fluke biology. Benefits include the identification of drug targets and vaccine candidates for use in livestock via the development of animal-free in vitro screening platforms that will serve as a prototype for other parasites.