Infectious diseases are a special case of environment and genetics working closely together.
The environmental factor is the causative micro-organism. The genetics of the host is also important, as variants in some genes can protect the host from death from certain infectious organisms and other variants can increase the risk of death. Dr Foote and his colleagues are looking for human genes that modulate the immune response to parasitic infections - specifically, malaria, which is endemic in tropical regions of the world, and Leishmania major , which is common in Africa and Israel. Genes Influencing susceptibility to Leishmaniasis Dr Foote and his colleagues have been working with Dr Emanuela Handman's research group in the Infection and Immunity Division to identify host genes that confer resistance against leishmaniasis. To model leishmaniasis, researchers infect mice with Leishmania major , the same parasite that causes leishmaniasis in humans.