Content of tutorials/seminar: "Parasite in Nature" (week 1-4) This block presents parasites as part of ecosystems, their origin, occurrence in nature, and their significance from a human perspective. A portion of the block will focus on methods for studying parasites in nature and their collection. Example topics: The omnipresence of parasites (origin, biodiversity, trophic interactions, life cycles). Parasitism, symbiosis, and coevolution. Interactions between vectors, pathogens, and hosts (e.g., ticks, mosquitoes). The globalized world: biodiversity crises and coextinction of parasites and hosts (non-native pathogens in new environments, vertebrate and ectoparasite extinctions, re-emergent parasites). Parasites in human health (pathogens vs. "commensals"). In practical exercises, fundamental microscopic, microbiological, and molecular examination methods for animal parasites will be introduced, related to the seminar topics (e.g., observation of cercariae, parasitological dissection of fish). "Parasite in the Laboratory" (Weeks 5-8) This block demonstrates the study of parasites through laboratory experiments. In the seminar part, it addresses questions like: What can be discovered about parasites in the laboratory? What are the specific aspects of laboratory research on parasites? Interesting examples of new findings obtained through laboratory approaches will be discussed based on the current situation. In the practical part, students will engage in various basic laboratory techniques, including in vitro cultivation, DNA isolation from parasitological material, preparation of microscopic slides, genetic modification of parasites ("glowing parasites"), and their use in studying life cycles or gene/protein functions, and feeding ticks "in vitro." "Parasite in the Computer" (Weeks 8-12) The final block focuses on the use of computer-based methods in parasite studies. It involves bioinformatic processing of molecular data, utilizing online databases, and image analysis. Some of the selected topics will build upon previous blocks (e.g., parasite collection, DNA isolation, and sequencing will provide data that will be used in this block for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships, molecular identification, or modeling molecular functions).
|