We study the neural basis of sensory-driven behaviors in skin-penetrating, human-parasitic nematodes. We also use the free-living nematode C. elegans as a comparative model for the parasitic nematodes. Our research lies at the interface of parasitology and neurobiology. The overall goals of our research are to understand how skin-penetrating nematodes use sensory cues to locate and invade human hosts, with the long-term goal of developing new strategies for preventing infections.
The Hallem lab is committed to fostering an inclusive lab environment, where everyone is encouraged, heard, and valued. We welcome lab members of all identities, backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences.
Our approach
A major focus of the lab is on how skin-penetrating nematodes respond to host-emitted sensory cues. For this work, we use the human-parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis and the closely related rat-parasitic nematode Strongyloides ratti as model systems. We are investigating the behavioral responses of S. stercoralis and S. ratti to host-emitted sensory cues, as well as the neural circuits and signaling pathways that underlie these responses. We are also studying the responses of the free-living nematode C. elegans to the same sensory cues to better understand how the nervous system of a parasitic animal differs from that of a free-living animal. By comparing the responses of C. elegans to those of the Strongyloides species, which have similar sensory neuroanatomy but highly divergent behavioral repertoires, we are gaining insight into the specific features of parasite sensory neural circuits that drive parasitic behaviors. Another major focus of our work is on tool development for S. stercoralis and S. ratti to further develop these parasites into genetic model systems.
Photo credit: Matthew Moser
