Bertrand de l'Isle

I am a PhD candidate in parasitology and molecular biology at the University of Perpignan, working at the IHPE laboratory. My research investigates how freshwater contamination can influence the biology and virulence of Schistosoma mansoni, the parasite responsible for intestinal schistosomiasis.

My thesis focuses on a largely overlooked stage of infection: the environmental life of the parasite before it enters the human host. I study whether brief exposure of free-living larvae to contaminants can leave persistent effects on parasite development, reproduction, transmission and host pathology. Using approaches ranging from experimental infections and microscopy to molecular and cellular biology, I am particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying this environmental reprogramming, including gene regulation, stem-cell biology and host–parasite interactions.