Insect immune mechanisms and how parasites evade them
Many species of insects are intermediate hosts and vectors of parasites that cause disease in humans and domestic animals. Insects, like all other animals, are capable of a rapid and efficient immune response, so their susceptibility to parasitism raises some interesting questions.
Between 1975 and 1989, Ann’s main research interest (wearing her other ‘hat’ — as Dr Ann Lackie) was to define the immunorecognition capabilities of the insect system and to investigate the way in which the white blood cells (haemocytes) interacted with ‘foreign’ surfaces and molecules, and with each other.

Scanning electron micrograph of cockroach haemocytes forming a capsule around an implanted ‘foreign object’

From that basis, she and her research group were able to investigate immunomodulation (activation or suppression) of the immune system by particular parasites and fungal pathogens; these modulating interactions have important implications for the transmission of parasitic disease.
Funding was obtained from WHO, NERC, SERC, AFRC, MRC and the Nuffield Foundation; and in addition to the predominant work on larval parasitic worms in insects, members of the group also worked on malaria in mosquitoes, insect-pathogenic fungi potentially useful in biological control, and sheep liver fluke larvae in snails (work initiated while a Visiting Associate Professor in the delightful ambience of Professor Chris Bayne’s lab at Oregon State University). During this period the group collaborated with scientists from Sweden, Germany, Argentina, the Netherlands and the USA, and Ann organised or contributed to sessions on invertebrate immunity at national and international conferences, and was invited to convene the Zoological Society of London’s 56th Symposium, on Immune Mechanisms in Invertebrate Vectors.

Parasites and art
Ann and the London-based artist and sculptor Rebecca Nassauer collaborated in 1999 / 2000 on producing drawings and models for artworks based on the beauty of parasitic worms and their elegantly-complex life-cycles. The project, Game of Chance: the Parasite’s Roulette Wheel, which was short-listed for the Sci-Art Consortium’s awards in 2000 proposed 3 different installations: A Game of Numbers - a circle of glass installations, inspired by the enormous numbers of off-spring produced sexually and asexually in the sheep liver fluke’s life-cycle; A Game with Water - a mobile illustrating the importance of water in the lives of humans and the schistosome parasite that causes bilharzia; A Game of Chance - floating banners of tapeworms, full of ‘eggs’.

Tapeworm banners: artist’s impression from Game of Chance Courtesy of Rebecca Nassauer

Parasites and exhibitions: Ann Lackie acted as Specialist Scientific Consultant to the Natural History Museum’s Exhibition Committee in 2002, in discussions about a proposed exhibition concerned with parasites.

Non-fiction
Ann Lingard/Lackie maintains a close interest in the ‘science’ of the countryside, and has written much on the subject:

• a regular feature, (1997-99) ‘Walking the Dog’ for the Oxford Times’ Limited Edition magazine;
• illustrated articles for magazines such as Country Talk, CountrySide, Devon Life, Scots Magazine and many others;
• a book chapter and co-edited the book — ‘Wildlife’, in Otmoor 2000: a reflection on an English landscape and its community, eds Bruce Tremayne & Ann Lackie (2001, The Otmoor Group pp. 132; ISBN 0-9539682-0; £7.00; copies obtainable from bruce.tremayne@trek.demon.co.uk)
• a regular feature (2003-2005) for Cumbria Life about the Solway Firth and its many facets.
• “I wonder why ...?": a regular feature for Cumbria magazine (2005-2007)
• Science from the Outside: regular series in Wellcome Science, 2007-8
• The ground beneath your feet: regular series for Cumbria magazine, 2010-