An Interdisciplinary Research Centre leading the fight against helminth disease
Established in 2016, the BCHC at Aberystwyth University brings together an internationally-recognised team of Principal Investigators and external associates to lead the research community in the fight against parasitic worms causing agricultural, veterinary and biomedical diseases.
About Us
Helminth-related infections present some of the most difficult to treat diseases on our planet and their sustainable control depends on increasingly sensitive diagnostics and biomarkers as well as the development of prophylactic vaccines and novel therapeutic drugs. The BCHC will underpin innovation in this area through new collaborations and partnerships spanning previously untapped disciplines.
Video source: Gabriel Rinaldi – Female adult schistosome in culture actively feeding on red blood cells

Selected Recent Publications
View recent publications from BCHC members.

Facilities & Services
Aberystwyth University opens up a new era of collaborative, interdisciplinary research in the fight against neglected tropical diseases of global importance.

Our Research
Our research spans a broad variety of disciplines, including parasitology, chemistry, ecology, microbiology, mathematics, physics and computer science.
News
- Exciting new international partnership for BCHC membersDirector of BCHC Prof. Karl Hoffmann has helped to establish a new international partnership; this collaboration involves several institutes around the world and aims to develop a vaccine for parasite diseases caused by helminths. On the path to discover vaccines against hookworms and schistosomes researchers will explore new ways…
- Prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize awarded for parasite research at AberystwythThe Queen’s Anniversary Prize has been awarded to Aberystwyth University for its pioneering research into combating diseases caused by parasitic flatworms such as Schistomiasis and Fasciolosis. This prestigious prize celebrates excellence and innovation, awarded every two years it recognises outstanding work that benefits the wider world. Members of BCHC past…
- Functional Genomics Workshop in BrazilDuring the last two weeks of September, BCHC member Prof Gabriel Rinaldi ran a workshop with colleagues in Brazil. The international online course aimed at presenting different functional genomic methodologies in parasites and their vectors, including interference RNA, CRISPR CAS knock-in and knock-out. The course focused on single-cell sequencing from…
- DLS Festival of Research 2023On Friday 15th September, the Department of Life Sciences (DLS) at Aberystwyth University held the first DLS Festival of Research. The event was a great success, providing an opportunity to share and celebrate the research taking place across the department. Several BCHC members took part, giving talks and presenting posters…
Contact Us
BCHC Director: Professor Karl F. Hoffmann
Aberystwyth University
Edward Llwyd Building
Penglais Campus
Aberystwyth
SY23 3DA
WALES UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1970 622308
E-mail: bchc.uk@gmail.com
Mary Howlett -BCHC Administrator
Partner Organisations
Activities at the BCHC are supported by the following external organisations:

Photos on this page sourced from BCHC members