We study cell proliferation and differentiation during the life-cycle transitions of cestodes. In particular, we study their larval metamorphosis, in which the oncosphere (first larval form) transforms into the metacestode (second larval form). In this process, the differentiated cells of the oncosphere are eliminated, and all tissues are formed de novo from a few stem cells present in the oncosphere. We study how these stem cells proliferate and differentiate to form the new tissues, including the nervous system, as well as the signals that regulate these processes.

Funding::

ANII Fondo Clemente Estable 2016: Roles de la vía Wnt-beta catenina en el desarrollo y proliferación de los cestodos (Uriel Koziol). 

CSIC I+D 2018: Diferenciación celular y remodelación de tejidos durante la metamorfosis de cestodos. (Uriel Koziol).

EURO BIOIMAGING 2021: Imaging the development of infective tapeworm larvae with ultrastructural detail: massive loss of nuclei during the final stages of larval development. (Uriel Koziol).

PhD Fellowship CAP Jimena Montagne