higgs

So a lot of people have been asking about my summer research project and rather than explain it individually a bunch of time I figured I would make a blog. First off I'm really happy and excited that you guys are interested in my work. It is really important to me and I have worked really hard to make it work.

I have a lab meeting in about 40 min and I still haven't gotten dressed so I'll have to give you all the short version and you can PM me about any gaps you want filled

So there are these bugs called kissing bugs they feed on the blood of mammals. They can carry a parasite called T. cruzi in their hind gut. The parasite is spread through the feces of the bug.

The parasite causes heart and intestinal problems in humans and domestic animals. it is not curable and the medication has such terrible side effects that many people choose not to take it and it is not approved by the fda.

I am contributing to a genetic database of kissing bugs. Having a database will help up to distinguish between species. We want to do this because different species have different infection rates and can be better or worse at transmitting the parasite. It is referred to as foundational research because we will use it in the future to do work more directly contributing to stopping the spread of the disease.

This type of work is called Molecular Disease Ecology.

Thanks again for your interest!

Higgs