Information about the research group

Head of the Laboratory: prof. RNDr. Libuše Kolářová, CSc. (libuse.kolarova@lf1.cuni.cz, tel. +420 224 968 459).

The basic research of our group is focused on the study of interactions between helminths and hosts, which may cause harm, but on the other hand, may also contribute to modify their immune response to fight other serious diseases. The involvement of selected helminth species in disease induction is being studied in animal models, but thanks to collaboration with medical institutions, also in human patients. The research is mainly focused on the study of the pathogenesis of selected helminth infections and on the immune response in hosts with different immune backgrounds, not least on new therapeutic options for parasite-induced infections. Our main focus is to investigate the impact of Toxocara spp. infection on the immune system of the paratenic host, especially with regard to autoimmune diseases. In laboratory animals we are working with a model of induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which is used as a suitable alternative for the study of multiple sclerosis. The study of Schistosomatidae is focused on the possibility of assessing the risk of spreading schistosomiasis in endemic areas and on evaluating the effect of newly proposed anti-schistosomal agents in collaboration with foreign institutions. Applied research mainly deals with the aetiology of autochthonous and newly emerging helminthiasis in our territory (e.g. alveolar echinococcosis and dirofilariosis). An integral part of this activity is the study of the epidemiological aspects of these and other (toxocariasis) infections, especially the risks of infection by parasites, and the development of new diagnostic methods leading to the detection of infectious agents.

Website of the research group: https://helmint.lf1.cuni.cz/en