A5051150352- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Helminth infection and control
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Gut microbiota and health
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
University of Liverpool
2016-2025
Blantyre Institute for Community Ophthalmology
2023
Imperial College London
2005-2022
University of Aberdeen
2022
University of Cambridge
1996-2021
University College London
2021
Genomics (United Kingdom)
2021
University of Sheffield
2021
King's College London
2021
Ecologie & Evolution
2020
Most hosts, including humans, are simultaneously or sequentially infected with several parasites. A key question is whether patterns of coinfection arise because infection by one parasite species affects susceptibility to others inherent differences between hosts. We used time-series data from individual hosts in natural populations analyze risk for a microparasite community, detecting large positive and negative effects other infections. Patterns remain once variations host exposure...
Antagonistic coevolution between hosts and parasites has been proposed as a mechanism maintaining genetic diversity in both host parasite populations. In particular, the high levels of widely observed at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) vertebrate are consistent with hypothesis parasite-driven balancing selection acting to maintain MHC diversity. To date, however, empirical evidence support this hypothesis, especially from natural populations, lacking. A large unmanaged population Soay...
We report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike ΔH69/V70 in multiple independent lineages, often occurring after acquisition of receptor binding motif replacements such as N439K and Y453F, known to increase affinity the ACE2 confer antibody escape. In vitro, we show that, although itself is not an evasion mechanism, it increases infectivity associated with enhanced incorporation cleaved into virions. able partially rescue proteins that have acquired Y453F escape...
Plasmids drive genomic diversity in bacteria via horizontal gene transfer [1Thomas C.M. Nielsen K.M. Mechanisms of, and barriers to, between bacteria.Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 2005; 3: 711-721Crossref PubMed Scopus (1283) Google Scholar, 2Jain R. Rivera M.C. Moore J.E. Lake J.A. Horizontal accelerates genome innovation evolution.Mol. Biol. Evol. 2003; 20: 1598-1602Crossref (242) Scholar]; nevertheless, explaining their survival bacterial populations is challenging [3Harrison E. Brockhurst M.A....
Abstract Background The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a major pathogen of livestock worldwide, causing huge economic losses to agriculture, as well 2.4 million human infections annually. Results Here we provide draft genome for F. , which find be among the largest known genomes at 1.3 Gb. This size cannot explained by duplication or expansion single repeat element, and remains paradox given burden it may impose on egg production necessary transmit infection. Despite potential inbreeding...
Rationale: Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from chronic cystic fibrosis lung infections display multiple phenotypes indicating extensive population diversity.Objectives: We aimed to examine how such diversity is distributed within and between patients, study the dynamics of single-strain phenotypic in patients through time.Methods: Sets 40 P. per sputum samples were analyzed for a series genotypic characteristics. Population differentiation was analyzed.Measurements Main Results:...
Microbes can defend their host against virulent infections, but direct evidence for the adaptive origin of microbe-mediated protection is lacking. Using experimental evolution a novel, tripartite interaction, we demonstrate that mildly pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis) living in worms (Caenorhabditis elegans) rapidly evolved to animal hosts infection by more pathogen (Staphylococcus aureus), crossing parasitism-mutualism continuum. Host all six, independently selected populations...
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by parasites have important roles in establishing and maintaining infection. Analysis of the soluble vesicular secretions adult Fasciola hepatica has established a definitive characterization total secretome this zoonotic parasite. secretes at least two subpopulations EVs that differ according to size, cargo molecules site release from The larger are specialized cells line parasite gastrodermus contain zymogen 37 kDa cathepsin L peptidase performs...
Abstract A global transition towards more sustainable, affordable and reliable energy systems is being stimulated by the Paris Agreement United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This poses a challenge corrosion industry, as building climate‐resilient infrastructures brings with it long‐term direction, so result behaviour of structural materials (mainly metals alloys) becomes major prospect. With this in mind “Corrosion Challenges Towards Society” presents series cases showing...
Plasmids play an important role in bacterial genome evolution by transferring genes between lineages. Fitness costs associated with plasmid carriage are expected to be a barrier gene exchange, but the causes of fitness poorly understood. Single compensatory mutations often sufficient completely ameliorate costs, suggesting that such caused specific genetic conflicts rather than generic properties plasmids, as their size, metabolic burden, or expression level. By combining results...
Animals might be able to use highly polymorphic genetic markers recognize very close relatives and avoid inbreeding. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is thought provide such a marker because it influences individual scent in broad range of vertebrates. However, direct evidence limited. In house mice (Mus musculus domesticus), the urinary protein (MUP) gene cluster provides another signal identity that could underlie kin recognition. We demonstrate wild breeding freely seminatural...
Rationale: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the predominant cause of chronic airway infections patients with cystic fibrosis, exhibits extensive phenotypic diversity among isolates within and between sputum samples, but little is known about underlying genetic diversity.Objectives: To characterize population structure transmissible P. aeruginosa Liverpool Epidemic Strain in nine infer evolutionary processes associated adaptation to fibrosis lung.Methods: We performed whole-genome sequencing pooled...
Hosts are likely to respond parasitic infections by a combination of resistance (expulsion pathogens) and tolerance (active mitigation pathology). Of these strategies, the basis in animal hosts is relatively poorly understood, with especially little known about how manifested natural populations. We monitored population field voles using longitudinal cross-sectional sampling modes taking measurements on body condition, infection, immune gene expression, survival. Using analyses stratified...
Significance During chronic infection, bacterial pathogens undergo rapid evolutionary adaptation and extensive genetic diversification affecting patient symptoms treatment outcomes. Temperate phages are common in pathogen genomes, phage particles can reach high abundance human infections, but their role evolution is unclear. Using experimental population genomics, we show that temperate found infections accelerated by increasing the supply of beneficial mutations imposing strong selection on...
Fasciola hepatica, the liver fluke, is a trematode parasite of considerable economic importance to livestock industry and re-emerging zoonosis that poses risk human health in F. hepatica-endemic areas worldwide. Drug resistance substantial threat current future control yet little known about how biology influences development spread resistance. Given hepatica can self-fertilise therefore inbreed, there potential for greater population differentiation an increased likelihood recessive...
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has become a complimentary surveillance tool during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Viral concentration methods from wastewater are still being optimised and compared, whilst viral recovery under different characteristics storage temperatures remains poorly understood. Using urban samples, we tested three methods; polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG), ammonium sulphate (AS), CP select™ InnovaPrep® (IP) ultrafiltration. We found no major difference in faecal...
Fasciola hepatica infection is responsible for substantial economic losses in livestock worldwide and poses a threat to human health endemic areas. The mainstay of control the only drug licenced use humans triclabendazole (TCBZ). TCBZ resistance has been reported on every continent threatens effective fasciolosis many parts world. To date, understanding genetic mechanisms underlying limited studies candidate genes, based assumptions their role action. Taking an alternative approach, we...
Most public health initiatives that monitor viruses in wastewater have utilized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and whole genome PCR sequencing, mirroring techniques used for viral epidemiology individuals. These require prior knowledge of the target are limited to monitoring individual or small groups viruses. Metagenomic sequencing may offer an alternative strategy a broad spectrum wastewater, including novel emerging pathogens. In this study, while amplicon gave high...
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted health systems globally and robust surveillance been critical for control, however not all countries can currently sustain community pathogen programs. Wastewater proven valuable in high-income settings, but less is known about the utility of water pathogens low-income countries. Here we show how wastewater SAR-CoV-2 be used to identify temporal changes help determine circulating variants quickly. In Malawi, a country with limited community-based...