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PhD topic: The metabolism of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis and its potential for novel, targeted treatments against alveolar echinococcosis

The Institute of Parasitology Bern carries out research on parasitic diseases of domestic and farm animals, and of humans, and is involved in teaching and diagnostic services and consulting.
In terms of research, we focus on the study of pathogenetic processes that occur during parasitic infections, as well as on the development of new therapeutic approaches. The main topics of interest are zoonotic helminthiases (echinococcosis, fasciolosis), and abortion-causing protozoans (neosporosis, toxoplasmosis, tritrichomonosis). More information can be found under the following link: https://www.ipa.vetsuisse.unibe.ch/index_eng.html.

Background of the project: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis (small fox tapeworm) is the highest ranking foodborne parasitic zoonosis in Europe. The metacestodes (larval stage) of E. multilocularis grow mainly in the liver in a tumor-like and infiltrative manner, and frequently form metastases in other organs. AE occurs in humans, dogs, monkeys and other mammals, and causes death if left untreated. AE cannot be cured by medication, as the current drugs in use are parasitostatic and do not kill the parasite. For these reasons, novel drug treatment options are urgently needed.

We have developed in vitro culture of the larval stage of the parasite as a highly valuable alternative to the animal model. In vitro culture is applied for in vitro drug screening and investigations on the mode of action of drugs, as well as for answering basic, cellular and molecular biological questions. These analyses are complemented with transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses. Our research has been focusing on the mitochondrial energy metabolism of the parasite and the host-parasite interaction.

Project:
We have identified key aspects of energy and nutrient acquisition in E. multilocularis. One of them is the threonine dehydrogenase (TDH)-dependent threonine-uptake, which is crucial for parasite growth and development, that represents a non-functional pathway in humans (Kaethner et al., 2025, Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist). Therefore, for the proposed project, the candidate will validate EmTDH expression through transcriptomic, proteomic and enzymatic analyses in samples from infected humans and animals and assess the essential roles of this enzyme by RNAi. Specific TDH inhibitors will be identified by screening repurposed drugs on the recombinant E. multilocularis and mouse enzymes. We will evaluate the efficacy on E. multilocularis versus mammalian cells in vitro and in the AE mouse model, assessing functional effects on TDH activity and identifying other drug effects through identification via affinity chromatography and proteomics.

We therefore offer from October 1, 2025, or by appointment, a PhD position.