Vasyl Tkach and Zdzisław Świderski                     Daniel Młocicki

2. Actual programme of research and scientific activity:

Our laboratory is conducting the extensive comparative studies on: (1) embryogenesis in cestodes and trematodes by means of electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) and cytochemistry; (2) cellular organization of the infective larval stages of parasitic platyhelminths; (3) the post-embryonic development and ultrastructure of their larvae and juvenile forms. Several species selected for our studies are of medical and/or veterinary importance, such as three species of examined schistosomes, taeniid cestode including Echinococcus granulosus and E. granulosus, anoplocephalids, namely Inermicapsifer madagascariensis, Anoplocephaloides dentata, Mosgovoyia ctenoides and Moniezia sp. Obtained results allow us to elucidate mechanism of host infection and biology of parasite transmission and may represent successful contribution towards the fight against the examined parasites. In addition, new data on the gametogenesis, embryonic and post-embryonic development combined with new molecular data may provide useful information on phylogenesis, systematic and evolution of Platyhelminthes.

The Polish school of parasitology (K. Janicki, L. W. Wiśniewski, J. S. Ruszkowski, W. Michajłow, K. Rybicka, L. Jarecka) has a long tradition in this field of research and always significantly contributed towards its development and current progress. Our labolatory from a long period of time maintain close scientific cooperation with parasitologists from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Spain, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine, USA and United Kingdom, working in similar field of research.

The results of our research projects are published almost exclusively in the important international journal included on the ISI Master Journal List. They are frequently presented at both local and international conferences and congresses.

3. Achievements:

Among the most important achievemets can be mentioned:

• Elucidation and description of embryogenesis in 18 species of tapeworms and 5 species of trematodes belonging to Digenea, including characteristic of cleavage pattern, blastomere differentiation during morpho- and organogenesis of infective larvae of trematodes and cestodes.

• Comparative analysis of cellular differentiation of egg envelopes, hooks and glands in the oncospheres of cestodes and miracidia of trematodes.

• Description of the functional ultrastructure of preacetabular and postacetabular penetration glands of cercariae in three species of schistosomes, parasites of man.

• Elucidation of the action of three selected anthelmintic drugs: Niridazol, Praziquantel and Amoscanate on three species of human schistosomes.

• Elucidation of the effects of two anthelminthc drugs: Mebendazol, Fembendazol on ultrastructure of the cysts in two species of echinococcus: E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.

• In the framework of KBN grant for the research project: "Molecular basis of systematics of Digenea with particular emphasis on suborder Plagiorchiata" we analyzed the: (1) interrelationships between different taxons of this sub-order and its phylogenetical position among digenetic trematodes; (2) extensive molecular phylogenesis of digenea including about 70 families and 160 genera was established; (3) a great number of new taxons in digeneans was suggested.

• Several important questions concerning phylogenesis, systematics and evolution of Digenea were drawn and discussed.