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Specialized Units

Schistosome Biological Supply Centre (SBSC )

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Mission

The mission of the Schistosome Biological Supply Center (SBSC) is to support scientific research and operational studies in the field of schistosomiasis by providing high-quality biological materials, including snails and schistosome parasites. The center is committed to producing antigens and testing new molluscicides and schistosomicides, contributing to the global fight against schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases. Additionally, SBSC plays a pivotal role in training scientists and researchers from around the world through workshops focused on parasitology and related fields.

Vision

The Schistosome Biological Supply Centre (SBSC) was established in 1989 at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) through a research collaboration agreement between the institute and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA, funded by USAID. The center focuses on producing biological materials for scientific research, investigating compounds with potential molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activities, and providing high-quality research tools for schistosomiasis studies.

Structure

Structure and Facilities

The center comprises five laboratories: Snail Breeding Lab, Snail Infection Lab, Parasitology Lab, Antigen Production Lab, and In Vitro Testing Lab, along with an animal husbandry area. It is equipped with essential tools, including a COâ‚‚ incubator, deep freezer, laminar flow cabinet, ultracentrifuge, lyophilizer, oven, double distillation unit, electric balances, perfusion apparatus, autoclaves, stereomicroscopes, ice maker, and more.

The center maintains colonies of snails (Biomphalaria spp. and Bulinus truncatus), strains of mice (CD1, Balb/c, C57BL/6), and golden hamsters imported from Charles River Laboratories. These animals are bred and housed in compliance with universal ethical standards. Additionally, large cultures of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium are maintained.

Services

Training

Training workshops mainly focus on the preparation of biological materials (Schistosoma & Fasciola), their utilization and maintenance in operational research, as well as the care and breeding of experimental animals. Additionally, technical assistance in establishing animal houses has been provided to some Egyptian research institutions.

  • The workshops were offered to trainees from Egypt, the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, and the USA. They were supported and funded by several international organizations, including the WHO, GTZ (Germany), and USAID.

  • The training workshops include lectures and practical techniques on the following topics:

  • The workshops were offered to trainees from Egypt, the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, and the USA. They were supported and funded by several international organizations, including the WHO, GTZ (Germany), and USAID.

  • The training workshops include lectures and practical techniques on the following topics:

    1. Breeding and maintenance of vector snails.
    2. Culture of algae for feeding snails.
      Exposure of snails to infection with miracidia under optimal laboratory conditions.
      Maintenance and examination of infected snails.
      Cercarial production and study of intramolluscan larval stages.
      Infection of experimental animals with schistosome cercariae.
      Worm recovery methods from infected animals.
      Egg separation from stools and tissues.
      Breeding and maintaining of mice and hamsters.
    3. Preparation of antigens for different stages of both parasites.
    4. Identification of snails and types of cercariae.
    5. Field visits to examine natural habitats and collect snails.
     

Research Field

The center produces the necessary biological materials for experimental and operational schistosomiasis research, including antigens from various stages of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium, which are also produced on a large scale under standardized conditions. These products meet the needs of TBRI and are marketed to various institutions working on schistosomiasis, biology, biochemistry, immunology, operational research, and related fields.

• Testing various synthetic and natural compounds (from plants and marine organisms) on different stages of Schistosoma parasites and vector snails, aiming to discover new drugs and/or molluscicides.

Achievements

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of more than 11,000 compounds (active compounds and extracts) on various stages of Schistosoma parasites as well as on vector snails. This work was carried out in collaboration with WHO/TDR, the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research, the National Research Centre (Cairo), and the Faculties of Pharmacy and Science at Egyptian universities.

• Since 2003, SBSC has been recognized as a WHO/TDR screening center for antiparasitic drugs and/or molluscicides.

Contacts

Name : Emeritus Prof. Fatem Ramzy
  • fatemg@hotmail.com
  • 01064629893