Molluscan Comparative Immunology (MCI) Group

Current projects Hemocyte Morphology & Systematics Funded from RFBR Hemocytes of Mollusca  are rather different in terms of their morphological and functional characteristics. Being a central part of internal defense system these circulating cells hypothetically were a "primary target" of evolutionary processes affecting mollusc innate immunity. Classification of their morphological and physiological types is a main task of the project.     Lectin - Carbohydrate reception in host-parasite interactions Funded from RFBR   "Self - non self" discrimination mechanism in Invertebrates is very enigmatic until now. We believe that lectin-carbohydrate reception is one of a key processes in "non-self" recognition in molluscs and point to comparative analysis of surface glycoproteins and lectins on both mollusc hemocytes and trematode larvae as the answer.     Morpho-functional aspects of interactions between host hemocytes and parasite tegument Funded from RFBR   Analysis of Secretory/Excretory Proteins (SEP) released by Trematodes in vitro may yield answers to resistance and susceptibility of Molluscs to infestation, identify unique host cells responses, and make experimental manipulation more tailored and accurate.     In vitro cultivation of trematode parthenites and maritae Funded from RFBR   There are two strategies of escaping from hemocyte attacking exploiting by Trematodes: Molecular Mimicry (or masking) and "Perverting" of cell defense reactions, making them to form a "paletot" covering invader. We should look deeper at this difference and find evolutionary switcher reasoning Trematodes to inactivate host reactions such differently.

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