General Information about the Schistosoma spp. Life Cycle Training Course

Biomedical Research Institute

12111 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD.

May 21-23, 2014

This course is designed to acquaint investigators working in the field of schistosomiasis with basic techniques and strategies for maintaining Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, and S. japonicum in the laboratory, and it offers directions into making one’s research more productive.  Among the topics covered will be procedures for setting up and maintaining the complete S. mansoni/Biomphalaria glabrata life cycle in the research laboratory, an overview of schistosomiasis, the pathology of the disease, collection of adult worms and eggs from tissues, exposure of snails to miracidia, shedding snails, exposure of mice and hamsters to cercariae, and an examination of all the intramolluscan life stages.  Hands-on exercises relating to some of these topics will also be presented (ex. perfusion of mice, exposing mice/hamsters, identification of sporocysts in snails).  Since we first began offering this basic course, over 120 scientists, technicians and students have benefited from completion of the course, and have expanded their own research agendas once back in their own laboratories.

The workshop incorporates aspects of all three Schistosoma spp. life cycles.  Attendees will be exposed to aspects of maintaining S. japonicum and S. haematobium life cycles that include general snails maintenance, collection of cercariae from infected snails, and exposing mice/hamsters.  It is our hope that incorporating the other two life cycles will encourage interest in maintaining these species in attendees’ laboratories.  The three-day course will also include a lecture on NIH-NIAID parasitology and grant programs. 

We anticipate that attendees will come away with a greater appreciation of the basic biology of Schistosoma spp. parasites, greater confidence in maintaining life cycles, and they will learn strategies for optimizing life cycles in their home laboratories.  Time will be available to ask questions about life cycle maintenance and other aspects of schistosomiasis research. There is no fee for the course.  Attendees are responsible for travel and lodging expenses, but travel assistance may be available. If you have any questions about the course, please contact me at mtucker@afbr-bri.com or (301) 881-3300 x31, or Mitzi Sereno at msereno@afbr-bri.com or (301) 881-3300 x39.