Laura Knoll
Credentials: Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department
Position title: Molecular analysis of host/parasite interactions
Email: ljknoll@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-3161
Address:
3303 Microbial Sciences Building
1550 Linden Dr
Madison, WI 53706
LAB WEBSITE:
FOCUS GROUPS:
Molecular & Genome Biology of Microbes; Immunology
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
Our research centers on studying the host/pathogen interactions of common food- and water-borne protozoan parasites. We use mice as well as intestinal organoids to model human infection. Toxoplasma gondii is the model parasite we use most often due to the wealth of molecular genetic tools available to manipulate its genome and the ease of culture conditions to produce large quantities of the parasite. Toxoplasma is a member of the coccidian family of parasites that include Plasmodium (causative agent of malaria) and Cryptosporidium (causative agent of diarrhea worldwide). We have previously combined various molecular genetic techniques with mouse models to identify Toxoplasma genes important for overall virulence, infection of the small intestine after oral challenge and the establishment of chronic infection. We have also recently determined tissue culture conditions for Toxoplasma sexual development in intestinal organoids. We use the latest technologies, including next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry, to uncover the parasite and host genes that are necessary for the establishment and maintenance of chronic parasitic infections in animals.
ALSO A TRAINER IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: Microbiology (MDTP), Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP)