In the framework of a travel grant from the Africa-Oxford Initiative, the NeTroDisOH through its group lead has undertaken hands-on practical training on protein expression and purification at the Higgins Lab in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford in the UK.

The Higgins Lab at Oxford is a group of researchers fascinated by the tricks that parasites use as they interact with their human hosts. They study in molecular detail the interactions that parasite surface molecules make during events such as host cell invasion or nutrient acquisition. They also study how these parasites hide from the immune system and how they manipulate human immunity. They then use these insights to guide the design of improved therapeutic agents, including vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.

The NeTroDisOH will continue to strengthen its collaboration with the Higgins Lab in our passion to fight NTDs through the discovery of new drugs, diagnostic targets, and vaccine candidates.