Research interests
Studies of Trichinella nematodes, Alaria trematodes, and Sarcocystis protists in the muscle of predatory mammals and birds using microscopic and molecular methods. Histopathological tests shall be used to determine pathogenicity. DNA isolation from microscopically isolated parasites, DNA amplification (conventional PCR, nested PCR, multiplex PCR), sequencing of the amplified fragments, and bioinformatic analysis of the resulting DNA sequences.
Dissertation annotation
The doctoral studies aim to assess the composition, genetic, and morphological features of parasites found in the muscles of Lithuanian predators.
Planned dissertation objectives:
- To identify the composition of parasites in predator muscle;
- To determine the transmission potential of parasitic zoonoses and potential hosts;
- To assess the level of pathogenicity of Sarcocystis parasites;
- To evaluate the intra- and inter-species variability of the parasites studied using DNA sequence analysis.