A wide range of animal taxa have adapted to exploit the inside of the body, and many cause disease in humans, as well as in wild and domesticated animals. Our research in this area focuses on the helminths, and asks how an understanding of their life cycles and population biology can be used to prevent harmful effects. Applications include the use of refined diagnostic monitoring and realistic mathematical models to guide the control of helminths of farmed and companion animals, and analysis of wildlife behaviour and movement patterns to identify key points of parasite transmission within and between host species. The main aim is to deploy advanced ecological techniques to achieve sustainable strategic control of parasites at the population level. For this, we need to take a broad view of the dynamics of host-parasite interaction, and of the role of parasites in the ecology of their hosts.
For more information on specific research interests, follow these links:
Dr Eric Morgan, School of Biological Sciences,University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UG, UK
email: Eric.Morgan@bristol.ac.uk