Media Releases >
Media Releases Archive
> Expert on disease carrying insects takes up chair at SFU
Expert on disease carrying insects takes up chair at SFU
Document Tools
July 10, 2002
Malaria, West Nile fever, Chagas Disease. Many people think these and other potentially debilitating and deadly tropical diseases are confined to far off places. Carl Lowenberger knows they’ve been on our doorstep for years. The graduate of Simon Fraser University ‘s master’s in pest management program is one of SFU’s newest Canada Research Chair appointees.
The internationally recognized expert on parasites and insect –immunity researches the transmission of insect-borne tropical diseases in endemic regions and their potential spread to temperate regions globally. "Global warming, the increased resistance of insect vectors (disease carrying insects) to pesticides, and of parasites to current therapies are making tropical diseases more prevalent worldwide," says Lowenberger. "Canadians travelling and working abroad, immigrants coming to Canada from countries where tropical diseases are prevalent and the migration of animals that are reservoirs of disease-causing organisms make disease transmission possible everywhere."
Statistics back up Lowenberger’s claim. There are about 400 reported cases of malaria in Canada annually. Chagas Disease now occurs in the United States. The deadly disease attacks the heart, colon or esophagus. The West Nile virus has reportedly infected humans and wildlife in the eastern US.
Originally from London, Ontario, Lowenberger came to SFU from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he helped pioneer research on the innate immune response of disease carrying insects. He discovered that tropical disease-carrying insects are equipped with an arsenal of antimicrobial peptides. These chemical compounds are used to kill disease-causing bacteria and fungi that invade the insects.
The question is why do insects often allow parasites to develop within themselves when their immune systems could kill the invaders?
Lowenberger’s Canada Research Chair in Biology of Parasites and Disease Vectors at SFU will enable him to explore answers to this question. "Identifying and characterizing components of the insect immune system may help scientists create novel drugs and antibiotics to treat tropical diseases," explains Lowenberger.
An incurable globetrotter, he has seen firsthand the devastating health and economic effects of tropical diseases in South America and Egypt. The chance to collaborate with scientists in a number of disciplines through SFU’s Institute for Health Research and Education enticed Lowenberger to come home.
—30—
CONTACT
Carl Lowenberger, 604.291.3985, carl_lowenberger@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035
The internationally recognized expert on parasites and insect –immunity researches the transmission of insect-borne tropical diseases in endemic regions and their potential spread to temperate regions globally. "Global warming, the increased resistance of insect vectors (disease carrying insects) to pesticides, and of parasites to current therapies are making tropical diseases more prevalent worldwide," says Lowenberger. "Canadians travelling and working abroad, immigrants coming to Canada from countries where tropical diseases are prevalent and the migration of animals that are reservoirs of disease-causing organisms make disease transmission possible everywhere."
Statistics back up Lowenberger’s claim. There are about 400 reported cases of malaria in Canada annually. Chagas Disease now occurs in the United States. The deadly disease attacks the heart, colon or esophagus. The West Nile virus has reportedly infected humans and wildlife in the eastern US.
Originally from London, Ontario, Lowenberger came to SFU from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he helped pioneer research on the innate immune response of disease carrying insects. He discovered that tropical disease-carrying insects are equipped with an arsenal of antimicrobial peptides. These chemical compounds are used to kill disease-causing bacteria and fungi that invade the insects.
The question is why do insects often allow parasites to develop within themselves when their immune systems could kill the invaders?
Lowenberger’s Canada Research Chair in Biology of Parasites and Disease Vectors at SFU will enable him to explore answers to this question. "Identifying and characterizing components of the insect immune system may help scientists create novel drugs and antibiotics to treat tropical diseases," explains Lowenberger.
An incurable globetrotter, he has seen firsthand the devastating health and economic effects of tropical diseases in South America and Egypt. The chance to collaborate with scientists in a number of disciplines through SFU’s Institute for Health Research and Education enticed Lowenberger to come home.
—30—
CONTACT
Carl Lowenberger, 604.291.3985, carl_lowenberger@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035