engstler lab
We study the adaptive and dynamic pleomorphism of parasites on the molecular, cellular and organismal level
Research synopsis
Recent publications
RESEARCH TOPICS
African sleeping sickness
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.003.jpeg)
Human trypanosomiasis and its animal form Nagana are a prime examples for the One Health concept
Antigenic variation
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.047.jpeg)
The exchange of surface coats is the phenotypic hallmark of antigenic variation. But in fact, this is just the tip of an iceberg
Host skin infection
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.040.jpeg)
Trypanosomes enter the mammalian host with the bite of a hungry tsetse.
What do they do in the skin?
Parasite Motility
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/3/4/csm_700x300.046_eb7a3f8974.jpeg)
The trypanosome flagellum always beats. Motion is essential for immune escape and tsetse passage - and it is a very complex business
Quorum Sensing
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.041.jpeg)
Trypanosomes limit the population size in the host by quorum sensing. What is the trigger?
Surface Coat Dynamics
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.039.jpeg)
The trypanosome VSG layer is a good model for fundamental studies on protein mobility.
Structure of the cell surface
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The structure of the trypanosome surface coat is much more dynamic and flexible than generally assumed
Trafficking of GPI-proteins
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.045.jpeg)
Lipid-anchoring has implications on the sorting and trafficking of cell surface coat molecules
Tsetse biology and physics
![](/fileadmin/07020100/700x300.012.jpeg)
The tsetse fly provides a self-contained environment for adaptive morphogenesis of trypanosome microswimmers
PEOPLE
Nicole Herrmann May
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/76FB48B6-A9C7-4618-ABD6-764E12637C45.jpeg)
Tulip Al-Hadawi
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/Tulip_photo.jpeg)
Noah Wetterich
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/NoahWitterich_700x300.372.jpeg)
Ngoc-Cam Phan
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/ME_700x300.327.jpeg)
Timothy Wuppermann
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/TimothyWuppermann_700x300.png)
Annika Schmid
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/AnnikaSchmid_700x300.368.jpeg)
Ngoc-Thao Vo
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/ME_700x300.361.jpeg)
Moritz Bach
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2023/ME_700x300.389.jpeg)
Franziska Schönhofer
![](/fileadmin/07020100/2022/ME_700x300.254.jpeg)