Dr Rod Dillon
Lecturer
Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Medicine
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YQ
Tel: +44 1524 594845
E-mail: r.dillon@lancaster.ac.uk
Personal Introduction
Leading a research group studying the role of Phlebotomine sand flies as transmitters of the medically important parasite Leishmania. Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease found in 88 countries worldwide with over 12 million cases and 2 million new cases every year. We are using DNA technologies including gene silencing to research the interactions between the Leishmania parasite and its blood sucking sand fly host. Research spans all aspects from lab to field work. Research includes Brazilian funded collaborative work with labs in Brazil. We are using our strain of Lutzomyia longipalpis to sequence the sand fly genome with scientists in Baylor College Texas. Main aim of our work is to discover new ways of disrupting transmission of this insect–borne disease.
Research Interests
Leishmania - sand fly interactions; functional genomics of insect vectors of medically important diseases; sand fly genome sequencing project; digestive physiology of bloodsucking insects; insect microbiology; microbial symbiosis; microbial ecology; insects and emerging infectious disease; natural antimicrobial systems and insects. Public engagement activities includes working with DIYBio maker communities, Bioscience research and art.
Doctoral Supervision
Microbiology, immunology and parasitology of insects; Phlebotomine sand flies and transmission of Leishmania. Microbial ecology of insects.
Additional Information
Art/science collaborations; see my personal blog.
Working with a number of artists including Wellcome Trust funded artist Gina Czarnecki to develop new art work based on biomedical research. Also collaborating in a cross disciplinary network of artists, scientists and health practitioners dedicated to combining creative research and learning in life sciences and the arts.
Working with DIYBio communities particularly DIYBio Manchester Group based at MADLAB Manchester.
Managing an EPSRC Catalyst research project called Patchworks. The project explores how homeless people might co-design a prototype tool using cheap, open source technology that improve health and wellbeing.
Art performance; by myself and Dr VM Dillon, Bednets not bombs at the Bluecoat Liverpool.
Publications
Please see full listing.