This group carrys out fundamental and applied studies in the area of infectious disease biology. For fundamental studies, Plasmodium falciparum (malaria parasite) and Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis parasite) are used as model organisms. With P. falciparum, studies to identify novel inhibitors and resolving their mechanism of action is being pursued. With T. gondii, metabolic studies are carried out to identify essential pathways and proteins as targets for drug development. On the applied side, surveillance studies are being carried out for human and animals pathogens, largely using next generation sequencing approaches. Using Oxford Nanopore Technology based nucleic acid sequencing, SOPs have been developed for pathogen detection and profiling of genetic variation. Highlights of surveillance studies include; 1. Mapping of genetic variation in P. falciparum from clinical samples to study the presence and prevalence of drug resistance; 2. Detection of viral and bacterial pathogens in livestock animals, especially dairy cows, with cause diseases such as lumpy skin disease, foot and mouth disease, mastitis and theileriosis. The surveillance studies are carried out in partnership with government and industry stakeholders.