Présentation
Following inoculation into a mammalian host by an infected sand fly, promastigote forms of the parasite Leishmania are taken up by phagocytes. There, promastigotes create a replicative niche, the parasitophorous vacuole, that will allow their differentiation and replication as mammalian-stage amastigote forms. Since Leishmania displays a number of auxotrophies and a complex nutritional requirements, communication between the parasitophorous vacuole and host cell organelles is crucial to acquire nutrients, metabolites, carbon sources, and lipids. Recent research in Prof Descoteaux’s laboratory has focussed on host cell organelle remodelling and functionality during the colonization process.