Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Parasitologist

Email b.russell@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 7082

Appointed: 2016

Teaching roles

Current research

Vivax Malaria (or Relapsing Malaria) is the most widely distributed, difficult to diagnose and treat cause of human malaria.

Our laboratory focuses in of the biology of the parasite Plasmodium vivax (the cause of vivax malaria) and how we can kill it using therapeutics or vaccinations.

To do this we have developed key ex vivo tools and methods to examine P. vivax drug susceptibility and reticulocyte invasion. These methods are optimised for use in malaria endemic regions. We also utilise a continuous culture of P. cynomolgi (an excellent model of P. vivax) to study the molecular mechanisms underlying P. vivax pathobiology.

In addition to vivax malaria we also contend research into the biology and epidemiology of protozoal parasites of importance to human health in New Zealand.

Key laboratory activities

  1. Malaria
    • Developing effective medical products (antimalarials and antiprotozoal drugs) and research tools (diagnostic and surveillance) for resource poor locations with the view to control vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue; as well as other parasitic diseases of importance to human health.
    • Better understanding the pathobiology, antimalarial sensitivity profiles and Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax and other important primate malarias (P. cynomolgi, P. knowlesi and P. coatneyi)
    • Detailed studies of the biomechanical, cytoadhesive and nanostructure changes to red blood cell pre and post Plasmodium spp. infection
  2. Cryptosporidiosis (Team Leader Dr Remy Muhsin)
    • Fundamental biology of Cryptosporidium spp.
    • Cryptosporidiosis drug discovery and development

Current group members

Professor Bruce Russell
Principal Investigator
b.russell@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 7082

Postdoctoral staff

  • Dr Noi Suwanarusk: Visiting Scientist
  • Dr Remy Muhsin: Visiting Scientist

Postgraduate students

  • Jessica Matheson:PhD student (Malaria)
  • Bridget Lamont: PhD student (Cryptosporidium)
  • Laura Saywell: MSc student (Cryptosporidium)

Publications

Whitta, S., Lamont, B., Suwanarusk, R., Russell, B. M., & Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R. (2024). Comparative efficacy and safety of anti-cryptosporidial agents: An in vitro study on Nitazoxanide, Halofuginone Lactate, KDU731, and Paromomycin against Cryptosporidium parvum. Frontiers in Microbiology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1463457 Journal - Research Article

Christensen, P., Cinzah, R., Suwanarusk, R., Chua, A. C. Y., Kaneko, O., Kyle, D. E., Aung, H. L., Matheson, J., … Cook, G. M., … Russell, B. (2024). Extended blood stage sensitivity profiles of Plasmodium cynomolgi to doxycycline and tafenoquine, as a model for Plasmodium vivax. Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1128/aac.00280-24 Journal - Research Other

Tay, M. Z., Tang, W., Lee, W.-C., Ong, A. S. M., Novera, W., Malleret, B., … Russell, B., … Rénia, L. (2024). Functional and immunological mapping of domains of the reticulocyte binding protein, Plasmodium vivax PvRBP2a [Brief report]. Journal of Infectious Diseases, jiae111. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae111 Journal - Research Other

Russell, B. (2023, November). Parasites: Who gives a hoot! Verbal presentation at the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 15th Annual Conference: Aotearoa New Zealand's Contribution to Global Health: Global Citizen versus Good Neighbour? Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Russell, B. (2023, October). Jungle fever. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Inaugural Professorial Lecture]. Other Research Output

Back to top