On Friday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 17, 2026, we hosted seminars by Prof. Juan Manuel Unzaga (Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata (FCV-UNLP), Argentina).
Seminar 1:
Advances in Toxoplasmosis Research at LAINPA–Argentina
Friday, March 13, 13:00–14:00, PK Hall
This seminar presented the major contributions of LAINPA to understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of Toxoplasma gondii in Argentina. It integrated isolates obtained from domestic animals, wildlife, zoo animals, and humans (including congenital toxoplasmosis cases), and placed these findings within a broader South American epidemiological framework.
Seminar 2:
LAINPA-Argentina: Integrality and Co-Creation in Territorial Intervention and Science Communication
Tuesday, March 17, 10:30–11:30, PK Hall
This seminar discussed how LAINPA’s research approach can promote international collaboration, particularly by strategically combining community engagement and molecular epidemiological surveillance under a One Health perspective.
The collaboration between LAINPA and the National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases began approximately 30 years ago, and both institutions have since developed independently in the field of protozoan disease research. Most recently, our joint research project has been selected for the FY2026 Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program. This project aims to leverage the strengths of both institutions to establish an epidemiological surveillance system for reproductive protozoan diseases, in line with international standards, through the development and improvement of diagnostic methods and surveillance systems for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in Argentina. Ultimately, the project seeks to contribute to improvements in animal health, public health, livestock productivity, and community welfare.
（Written by Yoshifumi Nishikawa）
