Group Leader: Tiroyaone Brombacher

Tiro Bombacher

 

Tiroyaone Brombacher

Phone: +27 21 406 6147

Office: S1.21 Wernher and Beit South

This relatively new group focuses on interdisciplinary research that incorporates the fields of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Immunology. The aim includes translational research, enabling basic laboratory findings to benefit societal health and wellbeing, in the area of neglected tropical diseases such as Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis), Sleeping Sickness (Trypanosomiasis), Malaria, and Hookworm infection. Research focus is on the involvement of cytokines, bacteria (Type1), and pathogens (Type2) in cognitive function.

 

Projects include:

  1. Effects of gene-deficiency (Loss of function approach) on cognitive function
  2. Immune and Neuronal cell interaction during learning and memory
  3. The influence of “stressors” and disease in learning and memory consolidation

 

Collaborations:

Prof. B Ngwenya, University of Botswana, Botswana (Social Schistosomiasis)

Dr. L Qulu, University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa (Clinical Schistosomiasis)

 

Neuro-immunology & Cognition Group

 

Tiroyaone Brombacher - Google Scholar

 

Publications:

  • T.M. Brombacher, K.S. De Gouveia, L. Cruywagen, N. Makena, F. Booley, O. Tamgue, F. Brombacher (2018). Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to impaired reference memory and myeloid cell interference. Scientific Reports. 8: 2958
  • Tiroyaone M. Brombacher, Justin K. Nono, Keisha S. De Gouveia, Nokuthula Makena, Matthew Darby, Jacqueline Womersley, Ousman Tamgue, Frank Brombacher (2017). IL-13–Mediated Regulation of Learning and Memory. Journal of Immunology. 198: 000–000
  • Saskia Schmidt, J Claire Hoving, William GC Horsnell, Helen Mearns, Antony J Cutler, Tiroyaone M Brombacher, Frank Brombacher (2012).  Nippostrongylus-Induced IL-4Rα-responsiveness by T cells in mice. PLoS ONE. 7 (12): e52211. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052211
  • Marillier R.G, Brombacher T.M* (joint first author), Dewals B, Leeto M, Barkhuizen M, Govender D, Kellaway L, Horsnell W.G.C , Brombacher F (2010).  IL-4Ra-responsive smooth muscle cell increase intestinal hypercontractility and contribute to resistance during acute Schistosomiasis. Amer J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 298 (6): G943-951
  • Kohman RA, Tarr AJ, Sparkman NL, Bogale TM, Boehm GW (2008).  Neonatal endotoxin exposure impairs avoidance learning and attenuates endotoxin-induced sickness behavior and central IL-1beta gene transcription in adulthood.  Behavior Brain Research. 194 (1): 25-31