A5013033956- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Helminth infection and control
- Trace Elements in Health
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Parasitic infections in humans and animals
- Bone Metabolism and Diseases
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Synthesis and biological activity
- Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Gut microbiota and health
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
- Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Vitamin K Research Studies
- Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Northwestern University
2018-2025
University of Giessen
2011-2023
Bayer (Germany)
2021
Abstract As a key event for maintaining life cycles, reproduction is central part of platyhelminth biology. In case parasitic platyhelminths, reproductive processes can also contribute to pathology. One representative example the trematode Schistosoma , which causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease, whose pathology associated with egg production. Among outstanding features schistosomes their dioecious lifestyle and pairing-dependent differentiation female gonads finally leads...
Hawaiian isolates of the nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans have long been known to harbor genetic diversity greater than rest worldwide population, but this observation was supported by only a small number wild strains. To better characterize niche and C. other species, we sampled different substrates niches across islands. We identified hundreds new strains from oiwi. are found in cooler climates at high elevations not associated with any specific substrate, as compared species....
Benzimidazoles (BZ) are essential components of the limited chemotherapeutic arsenal available to control global burden parasitic nematodes. The emerging threat BZ resistance among multiple nematode species necessitates development novel strategies identify genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance. All detection helminth is focused on genotyping three variant sites in orthologs β-tubulin gene found confer free-living Caenorhabditis elegans. Because limitations laboratory...
Infections by parasitic nematodes inflict a huge burden on the health of humans and livestock throughout world. Anthelmintic drugs are first line defense against these infections. Unfortunately, resistance to is rampant continues spread. To improve treatment strategies, we must understand genetics molecular mechanisms that underlie resistance. Studies fungus Aspergillus nidulans free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans discovered beta-tubulin gene mutated in benzimidazole (BZ) resistant...
Abstract Phenotypic variation in organism-level traits has been studied Caenorhabditis elegans wild strains, but the impacts of differences gene expression and underlying regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we use natural to connect genetic variants organismal-level traits, including drug toxicant responses. We perform transcriptomic analyses on 207 genetically distinct C. strains study expression. Using this massive dataset, genome-wide association mappings investigate basis...
Abstract RNA-Seq has proven excellence in providing information about the regulation and transcript levels of genes. We used this method for profiling genes flatworm Schistosoma mansoni . This parasite causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease global importance human animals. The pathology schistosomiasis is associated with eggs, which are synthesized as a final consequence male female adults pairing. induces processes that lead to full development its gonads prerequisite egg production....
Parasitic nematodes cause a massive worldwide burden on human health along with loss of livestock and agriculture productivity. Anthelmintics have been widely successful in treating parasitic nematodes. However, resistance is increasing, little known about the molecular genetic causes for most these drugs. The free-living roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans provides tractable model to identify genes that underlie resistance. Unlike nematodes, C. easy maintain laboratory, has complete well...
Widespread anthelmintic resistance has complicated the management of parasitic nematodes. Resistance to benzimidazole (BZ) drug class is nearly ubiquitous in many species and associated with mutations beta-tubulin genes. However, alone do not fully explain all BZ resistance. We performed a genome-wide association study using genetically diverse panel Caenorhabditis elegans strains identify loci that contribute thiabendazole (TBZ). identified quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome V...
Background Schistosomiasis is a disease of world-wide importance and caused by parasitic flatworms the genus Schistosoma. These parasites exhibit unique reproduction biology as female's sexual maturation depends on constant pairing-contact to male. Pairing leads gonad differentiation in female, even gene expression some gonad-associated genes controlled pairing. In contrast, no morphological changes have been observed males, although first data indicated an effect pairing also transcription...
The Venus kinase receptor (VKR) is a single transmembrane molecule composed of an intracellular tyrosine domain close to that insulin and extracellular Flytrap (VFT) structure similar the ligand binding many class C G protein coupled receptors. This (RTK) was first discovered in platyhelminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni, then large variety invertebrates. A vkr gene found most genomes, except S. mansoni which two genes Smvkr1 Smvkr2 exist. VKRs form unique family RTKs present only...
Cellular protein-tyrosine kinases play key roles in signal transduction processes eukaryotes. SmTK4 was the first Syk kinase identified a parasite and found to be tissue-specifically transcribed gonads of adult Schistosoma mansoni. Functional analyses confirmed its role oogenesis spermatogenesis. As an upstream binding partner, cellular SmTK6 isolated from yeast two-hybrid library. Phylogenetic performed this study suggestions hybrid character SmTK6. Biochemical studies made Xenopus oocytes...
Background Schistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases worldwide, second only to malaria. Schistosomes exhibit an exceptional reproductive biology since sexual maturation female, which includes differentiation organs, controlled by pairing. Pathogenicity originates from eggs, cause severe inflammation in their hosts. Elucidation processes contributing female not interest basic science but also considering novel concepts combating schistosomiasis. Methodology/Principal...
In the search for new strategies to fight schistosomiasis, unique reproductive biology of Schistosoma mansoni has come into focus research. The development gonads and ability egg production are fundamental not only continuing life cycle but also pathogenicity. Previous studies schistosome demonstrated an influence pairing on gonad female gene expression profiles in both genders. Due limited access specific tissues, however, most these were done at level whole worms neglecting individual...
Filariae are vector-borne nematodes responsible for an enormous burden of disease. Human lymphatic filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and timori, onchocerciasis (caused Onchocerca volvulus) neglected parasitic diseases major public health significance in tropical regions. To date, therapeutic efforts to eliminate human filariasis have been hampered the lack a drug with sufficient macrofilaricidal and/or long-term sterilizing effects that is suitable use mass...
Onchocerciasis (river blindness), caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected tropical disease mostly affecting sub-Saharan Africa and responsible for >1.3 million years lived with disability. Current control relies almost entirely on ivermectin, which suppresses symptoms first-stage larvae (microfilariae) but does not kill long-lived adults. Here, we evaluated emodepside, semi-synthetic cyclooctadepsipeptide registered deworming applications in companion animals,...
Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma and affects approximately 200 million people worldwide. Since Praziquantel (PZQ) only drug for schistosomiasis, alternatives are needed. By a biochemical approach, we identified tegumentally expressed aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) S. mansoni, SmALDH_312. Molecular analyses adult parasites showed Smaldh_312 transcripts in both genders different tissues. Physiological cell-biological experiments exhibited...
Natural products have moved into the spotlight as possible sources for new drugs in treatment of helminth infections including schistosomiasis. Surprisingly, insect-derived compounds largely been neglected so far search novel anthelminthics, despite generally recognized high potential insect biotechnology drug discovery. This motivated us to assess antischistosomal capacity harmonine, an antimicrobial alkaloid from harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis that raised interest recent years. We...
In metazoan integrin signaling is an important process of mediating extracellular and intracellular communication processes. This can be achieved by cooperation integrins with growth factor receptors (GFRs). Schistosoma mansoni a helminth parasite inducing schistosomiasis, infectious disease worldwide significance for humans animals. First studies on schistosome revealed their role in reproductive processes, being involved spermatogenesis oogenesis. With respect to the roles eggs maintaining...