Dr Frank Katzer
Address:
Moredun Research Institute
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan
Penicuik
Midlothian EH26 0PZ
Scotland
Telephone Number:
+44 (0)131 445 5111
Email address:
Frank Katzer is a molecular parasitologist and has been working in the field of protozoan pathogens of veterinary importance since 1990. His background is mainly in molecular biology of pathogens, with an active research interest in host-parasite interactions as well as parasite and antigen diversity. Methodologies such as PCR based satellite markers, aided his studies into parasite population complexities, dynamics and the effect of the host immunity on parasite diversity. Before his move to the Moredun in June 2007 he worked on tick borne pathogens of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Since then, he has broadened his interest range, which now also includes Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Cryptosporidium species.
At Moredun, he has been involved in developing and improving DNA based diagnostic and typing tools for these parasites. The aim of his work with these tools is to gain insights into parasite epidemiology and the effectiveness of different parasite control measures. A further area of his research interest is the identification of potential infection risks by these protozoan parasites to both livestock and humans through food and drink.
A selection of Frank's publications can be seen below or for a fuller list please click here.
Current Research:
- Host-pathogen interactions in livestock species infected with Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium spp
- Understanding protective immune responses against intracellular pathogens and developing novel vaccine targets
- Understanding disease risk posed by congenitally infected animals and the immune response to the endogenous infection
- Transmission routes of zoonotic pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium spp
- Risk to public health from environmental contamination with zoonotic protozoa
Selected Key Publications:
Selected Key Publications
- Katzer, F., Ngugi D., Walker A. R., & McKeever D. J. 2010. Genotypic diversity, a survival strategy for the apicomplexan parasite Theileria parva. Veterinary Parasitology. 167(2-4):236 - 243.
- Perez-Llaneza, A., Caballero M., Baravalle E., Mesplet M., Mosqueda J., Suarez C. E., et al. 2010. Development of a tandem repeat-based multilocus typing system distinguishing Babesia bovis geographic isolates. Veterinary Parasitology. 167(2-4):196 - 204.
- Innes, E. A., Bartley P. M., Maley S. W., Wright S. E., & Buxton D. 2007. Comparative host–parasite relationships in ovine toxoplasmosis and bovine neosporosis and strategies for vaccination. Vaccine. 25(30):5495 - 5503.
- Innes, E. A., Bartley P. M., Katzer F., & Buxton D. 2009. Veterinary vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 104(2):246-251.
- Schmuckli-Maurer, J., Casanova C., Schmied S., Affentranger S., Parvanova I., Kang'a S., et al. 2009. Expression analysis of the Theileria parva subtelomere-Encoded variable secreted protein gene family. PLoS ONE. 4(3):e4839.
- Katzer, F., Ngugi D., Walker A. R., & McKeever D. J. 2009. Modulation of Theileria parva populations by the bovine immune response. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 128(1-3):287 - 288.
- Katzer, F., Ngugi D., Schnier C., Walker A. R., & McKeever D. J. 2007. Influence of host immunity on parasite diversity in Theileria parva. Infection and Immunity. 75(10):4909 - 4916.
- Weir, W., Ben-Miled L., Karagenç T., Katzer F., Darghouth M., Shiels B., et al. 2007. Genetic exchange and sub-structuring in Theileria annulata populations. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 154(2):170 - 180.
- Katzer, F., Ngugi D., Oura C., Bishop R. P., Taracha E. L. N., Walker A. R., et al. 2006. Extensive genotypic diversity in a recombining population of the apicomplexan parasite Theileria parva. Infection and Immunity. 74(10):5456 - 5464.
- Walker, A. R., Katzer F., Ngugi D., & McKeever D. J. 2006. Cloned Theileria parva compared to uncloned T. parva produces lesser infections in ticks despite similar infections in cattle. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research. 73(2):162.
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