Research Synopsis:
My research is directed development of new drugs to treat schistosomiasis. This is a disease found commonly in parts of Asia, Africa and South America and is caused by infection with parasitic worms of the schistosome family. The only two drugs which are effective in treating schistosome infections appear to affect contractile activity of somatic muscle in these worms by altering the ability of the muscle fibers to handle calcium. Our focus is therefore to understand the physiological mechanisms which control cytoplasmic calcium concentration, and thus contractile activity, in the somatic muscle fibers. We examine calcium influx mechanisms in isolated muscle fibers using electrophysiological techniques and we observe the role of calcium in contractile activity in studies of contraction of individual muscle fibers.  In addition, we are examining the effect of praziquantel and other potential anti-schistosomal drugs on the behavior and viability of whole worms. These studies are performed using worms of the species Schistosoma mansoni and its evolutionary relative the free-living, non-parasitic Dugesia trigina.

Current Projects:
Two major projects are in process.  One is to establish the effects of praziquantel on the activity of voltage gated calcium channels in isolated muscle fibers from schistosomes and free living worms. The second is to establish the potential of certain food additives to mimic the effects of praziquantel on these muscle fiber calcium channels and on the behavior and viability of these worms.

Selected Achievements Since 2001
Organizer, Michigan Chapter-Society of Neuroscience Annual Meeting –– 1996, 2001
Secretary, Michigan Chapter-Society of Neuroscience Annual Meeting –– 2000-2001
President, Michigan Chapter-Society for Neuroscience, 2005-2007

Selected Samples of Recent Publications
Cobbett, P. and Day, T.A.:  Functional voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels in muscle fibers of the platyhelminth Dugesia trigina.  Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Molec. Integr. Physiol. 134(3): 593-605, 2003.

Bylund, D.B., Brunton, L.B., Cobbett, P.J.R., Persky, A.M and Preusch P.C.  NIGMS-sponsored Integrative and Organ Systems Pharmacology: Synopsis of the 2005 Experience/Anticipation of the 2006 Short Courses. Mol. Int. 5(6), 330-333, 2005.

Mendonca-Silva, D.L., Novozhilova, E, Cobbett, P.J.R., Silva, C.L.M., Noel, F., Totten, M.I.J., Maule, A.G. and Day, T.A.  Role of calcium influx through voltage operated calcium channels and of calcium mobilisation in the physiology of Schistosoma mansoni muscle contractions.  Parasitology 133 (1), 67-74, 2006.