Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Poland
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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra’s academic journey began with a Biotechnology degree from the Gdańsk University of Technology in 2010, reflecting early promise in the life sciences. His strong foundational interest in biotechnology advanced into a PhD in Chemical Sciences with a specialization in biotechnology in 2015, which laid the groundwork for his transition into advanced research on parasitic diseases. His academic excellence from the outset has been marked by interdisciplinary thinking and innovation in health-related biotechnological applications.
🧪 Professional Endeavors
Currently serving as Senior Specialist at the Division of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Ferra has held influential roles in both laboratory and collaborative research environments. His work spans parasitology, immunology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering, with a unique focus on tick-borne diseases and Apicomplexa parasites. In addition to spearheading two major research projects and contributing to three others as co-investigator, he also consults on three industry-oriented projects, signifying his adaptability between academia and practical scientific application.
🔬 Research Focus & Scientific Contributions
Ferra’s core research aims to enhance serodiagnostic techniques and develop recombinant protein-based vaccines, particularly against parasitic threats like Toxoplasma gondii. His significant contribution includes the development of chimeric recombinant T. gondii proteins, which can replace native antigens in commercial tests and reduce tissue cyst formation by up to 80% in immunized animal models. His innovations have led to two patents, one of which has already been granted (Patent No. 240086), highlighting real-world translational impact.
🌐 Impact and Collaborations
His extensive collaborations with international institutions—from Portugal’s Universidade Nova de Lisboa to New Zealand’s Lincoln University—reflect a global research footprint. These partnerships have catalyzed knowledge-sharing and technological advancement in molecular parasitology. Editorial responsibilities in special issues of journals like Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology and International Journal of Molecular Sciences further reinforce his stature as a thought leader in infectious disease research.
📈 Academic Citations and Recognition
Bartłomiej Ferra’s scientific productivity is reflected in 22 articles indexed in Scopus and SCI, with over 300 citations (Scopus) and 286 (SCI). His Scopus h-index of 12 underscores the academic relevance and growing impact of his work within the scientific community. He is also active on platforms such as ORCID, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Web of Science, ensuring visibility and engagement across multidisciplinary domains.
💻 Technical Expertise and Certifications
Ferra is certified in risk management methodologies (M_o_R®) and trained in animal experimentation planning and execution, essential for conducting ethical biomedical research. His lab experience spans recombinant protein design, serological assays, and pathogen detection systems—skills that are vital in combating vector-borne and zoonotic diseases.
👨🏫 Teaching and Mentorship
Though primarily research-oriented, Ferra’s contributions to knowledge dissemination are also seen through mentorship and collaboration with academic peers across research institutions. His editorial and grant involvement reflects an ability to guide scientific discourse and nurture upcoming research initiatives. His active engagement in specialized academic forums helps train new researchers in niche areas such as tick-borne zoonoses and molecular immunology.
🏅 Legacy and Future Contributions
As a rapidly rising name in the realm of molecular parasitology, Ferra’s work is laying the foundation for next-generation diagnostic tools and vaccines. His interdisciplinary approach and established international collaborations position him to lead large-scale, global health initiatives against parasitic and tick-borne diseases. With a growing record of impactful publications, patents, and translational innovation, he is poised to leave a lasting legacy in biomedical sciences, particularly in the Global South health context.
Selected Publications
Title: Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in farm animals (horses, swine, and sheep) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using chimeric antigens
Authors: B Ferra, L Holec-Gąsior, J Kur
Journal: Parasitology International 64 (5), 288–294
Year: 2015
Title: A new Toxoplasma gondii chimeric antigen containing fragments of SAG2, GRA1, and ROP1 proteins—impact of immunodominant sequences size on its …
Authors: B Ferra, L Holec-Gąsior, J Kur
Journal: Parasitology Research 114, 3291–3299
Year: 2015
Title: A new MIC1-MAG1 recombinant chimeric antigen can be used instead of the Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigen in serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis
Authors: L Holec-Gąsior, B Ferra, D Drapała, D Lautenbach, J Kur
Journal: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 19 (1), 57–63
Year: 2012
Title: The first study on the usefulness of recombinant tetravalent chimeric proteins containing fragments of SAG2, GRA1, ROP1 and AMA1 antigens in the detection of specific anti …
Authors: BT Ferra, L Holec-Gąsior, J Gatkowska, B Dziadek, K Dzitko, ...
Journal: PLoS One 14 (6), e0217866
Year: 2019
Title: MIC1-MAG1-SAG1 chimeric protein, a most effective antigen for detection of human toxoplasmosis
Authors: L Holec-Gąsior, B Ferra, D Drapała
Journal: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 19 (12), 1977–1979
Year: 2012