University of Pennsylvania · BiologyStriepen Epigenetics Lab
Boris Striepen · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Boris Striepen’s lab focuses on the Cryptosporidium parasite, a significant cause of severe diarrhea that affects many vulnerable populations, particularly children and immunocompromised individuals. The lab investigates how the parasite undergoes sexual development, which is crucial for its lifecycle and transmission. By understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in this process, the research aims to contribute to the development of effective treatments and vaccines against cryptosporidiosis.
Cryptosporidiumsexual developmentepigeneticsdiarrheal diseaseschild healthparasite lifecyclegametogenesisimmunosuppression
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define the epigenetic mechanisms governing the transition from asexual to sexual replication in Cryptosporidium.
AIM 02Investigate how the parasite determines male or female gamete fate.
AIM 03Analyze the unique structure of male gametes and its role in fertilization.
AIM 04Develop experimental systems for observing parasite sexual development.
AIM 05Contribute to public health through advancements in drug and vaccine development.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturecryogenic electron tomographygene expression analysismolecular cloninggenetic manipulationmicroscopybioinformaticsmicrobial geneticsanimal models
Output against the department
Publications222top 28% of dept.290th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations16ktop 24% of dept.252nd of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.