Dr Benjamin Liffner

I recently established my own research group with an initial research focus of the cell biology of single-celled parasites (Plasmodium, cryptosporidium). We primarily work a technique called expansion microscopy, which physically enlarges biological samples ~5-fold, making it easier to observe the subcellular ultrastructure by microscopy. Over approximately the last 6 months, we have been applying this technique to investigate the cell biology of Karenia, particularly Karenia cristata. We plan to build the Karenia research program in future, investigating its fundamental cell biology (mitosis, cell division, etc.) along with the cell biology of toxin production.