Speakers - 2024

Biography

Prof. Gehan Labib Hafez Abuelenain is a Professor of Parasitology in the Department of Immunology and Drug Evaluation at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Cairo, Egypt. Prof. Abuelenain obtained her PhD from the University of Cairo in 2001 after her postdoctoral training. In 2016, she obtained an Incentive Research Fund from the International Conference on Parasitology, Pennsylvania, USA, as PI in a project entitled "e-Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Parasites by iPhone/iPad Microscopy.". In addition to TRBI, she also worked as a faculty member at several institutions in the United Arab Emirates, where she developed new educational programs and received multiple awards and grants.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a global parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), with a high infection rate that affects one-third of the human population and has severe implications for pregnant women, neonates, and immunocompromised patients. Anti-parasitic treatments and schemes available against toxoplasmosis have barely evolved over the last two decades. The current anti-T. gondii therapeutics are not potent or effective in eradicating the tissue cysts produced by the parasite and have adverse side effects on body physiology, especially in immunocompromised patients. This work aims at highlighting new trends in Toxoplasma gondii diagnosis by providing a comprehensive overview of the field, summarizing recent findings, and discussing the classic and new technological advancements in toxoplasma diagnosis and treatment. Novel current and perspective therapeutics utilizing trends in molecular biology and biophysics such as biosensors, epigenetics, and artificial intelligence might provide solutions for disease management and prevention. These insights will provide tools to identify research gaps and propose novel planning options for disease control.