Prof Aaron Maule

Aaron Maule is Professor of Molecular Parasitology at Queen’s University Belfast. He is a previous C.A. Wright Medal (2004; BSP) and Bueding von Brand Memorial Award (2008; The American Society of Parasitologists) winner and was elected to the Royal Irish Academy in 2012. His research focusses on the discovery and validation of novel control (drug and vaccine) targets in helminth parasites (flatworms and roundworms). Putative chemotherapy targets are drawn from signalling systems involved in sensory/motor functions and developmental processes. Vaccine candidates encompass virulence proteins involved in the host-parasite interaction as well as novel, parasite-specific proteins lacking known homologues. A core facet of these efforts is the ongoing development and optimization of functional genomics platforms for selected parasites, facilitating the interrogation of genomic and transcriptomic resources for novel control targets. Work encompasses the translation of in vitro RNA interference methods for both the in vivo assessment of target value and for the direct control of parasitic worms of animals and plants.