Vaccines against babesiosis: where we are now and possible roads ahead
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis caused by the tick-transmitted haemoprotozoans Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens commonly results in substantial cattle morbidity and mortality in vast areas of the world. Although existing live vaccines generally confer protection, they have considerable disadvantages. Therefore, particularly in countries where large numbers of cattle are at risk, important research is directed towards improved vaccination strategies. This webinar will present a brief history of vaccine development against bovine babesiosis as well as some research approaches towards the generation of improved formulations.
Dr Monica Florin-Christensen
Monica Florin-Christensen has worked in scientific research for over 35 years, mostly in physiological and molecular biological aspects of lower eukaryotes, including the tick borne parasite Babesia bovis, among others. She got her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has worked in different laboratories in her home country as well as in USA, Denmark and Germany. For the last 20 years, she has worked, as Senior Researcher of the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), at the Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina. Her current research topics include the identification and characterization of molecules of parasitic protozoans that act at the host-pathogen interplay and the development of vaccines and diagnostic methods for protozoan diseases of productive animals. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate university courses on molecular genetics and microbiology.