Institute of Parasitology

Projects

In terms of research, the institute focusses on the study of pathogenetic processes that occur during parasitic infections, as well as on the development of new therapeutic approaches. The main topics of interest are zoonotic helminthiases (echinococcosis, fasciolosis), protozoans causing abortion (neosporosis, toxoplasmosis, tritrichomonosis), as well as giardiasis.

Research at the Institute of Parasitology is essentially financed by third-party funding. Numerous publications have emerged from the individual projects. Priority is given to the following parasites:

Besnoitia besnoiti
Echinococcus spp.
Fasciola spp.
Neospora caninum
Sarcocystis spp.
Toxoplasma gondii

An overview of our research unit you find here: organigramm_2025

aktuelle Forschungsprojekte

Treatment of fox tapeworm infection

Development of novel treatments against the fox tapeworm and other tapeworms

Alveolar echinococcosis is a life-threatening infection caused by the fox tapeworm. Since current drugs only inhibit parasite growth, we are developing new therapies targeting key metabolic pathways to achieve more effective and curative treatments, also for related tapeworm infections.

Resistance & treatments liver fluke

Drug resistance & new treatments against liver flukes

The common liver fluke causes liver disease in humans and animals. As common medications are threatened by the development of drug resistance, we study the molecular mechanisms behind resistance and new active molecules against the liver fluke.

Targeting of apicomplexan parasites

Prevention and treatment of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis

Development of antiparasitic drug treatments for neosporosis, toxoplasmosis and related diseases caused by apicomplexan parasites, and vaccines against neosporosis in cattle, caused by Neospora caninum.