A5019824545- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Helminth infection and control
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Gut microbiota and health
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Dietary Effects on Health
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Identification and Quantification in Food
University of Glasgow
2015-2024
Institut Cochin
2024
Moredun Research Institute
2013-2022
University of Edinburgh
2006-2018
Edinburgh College
2018
Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution
2010-2015
Edinburgh Genomics
2015
Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée
2005-2006
École Pratique des Hautes Études
2001-2005
Inserm
2003-2005
Abstract In mammalian systems RNA can move between cells via vesicles. Here we demonstrate that the gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus , which infects mice, secretes vesicles containing microRNAs (miRNAs) and Y RNAs as well a Argonaute protein. These are of intestinal origin enriched for homologues exosome proteins. Administration exosomes to mice suppresses Type 2 innate responses eosinophilia induced by allergen Alternaria. Microarray analysis mouse incubated with in vitro...
Parasitic nematodes (roundworms) and platyhelminths (flatworms) cause debilitating chronic infections of humans animals, decimate crop production are a major impediment to socioeconomic development. Here we report broad comparative study 81 genomes parasitic non-parasitic worms. We have identified gene family births hundreds expanded families at key nodes in the phylogeny that relevant parasitism. Examples include modulate host immune responses, enable parasite migration though tissues or...
Identifying the animal origins of RNA viruses requires years field and laboratory studies that stall responses to emerging infectious diseases. Using large genomic ecological datasets, we demonstrate reservoirs existence identity arthropod vectors can be predicted directly from viral genome sequences via machine learning. We illustrate ability these models predict epidemiology diverse across most human-infective families single-stranded viruses, including 69 with previously elusive or...
In wild populations, individuals are regularly exposed to a wide range of pathogens. this context, organisms must elicit and regulate effective immune responses protect their health while avoiding immunopathology. However, most our knowledge about the function dynamics comes from laboratory studies performed on inbred mice in highly controlled environments with limited exposure infection. Natural other hand, exhibit genetic environmental diversity. We argue that now is time for immunology be...
microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short, non-coding RNA can be found in highly stable, cell-free form mammalian body fluids. Specific miRNAs are secreted by parasitic nematodes exosomes and have been detected the serum murine dog hosts infected with filarial Litomosoides sigmodontis Dirofilaria immitis, respectively. Here we identify extracellular, parasite-derived small RNAs associated Onchocerca species infecting cattle humans. Small libraries were prepared from total extracted nodule fluid...
Determining which animal viruses may be capable of infecting humans is currently intractable at the time their discovery, precluding prioritization high-risk for early investigation and outbreak preparedness. Given increasing use genomics in virus discovery otherwise sparse knowledge biology newly discovered viruses, we developed machine learning models that identify candidate zoonoses solely using signatures host range encoded viral genomes. Within a dataset 861 species with known zoonotic...
Abstract The malaria parasite, which is transmitted by several Anopheles mosquito species, requires more time to reach its human-transmissible stage than the average lifespan of vectors. Monitoring species-specific age structure populations critical evaluating impact vector control interventions on risk. We present a rapid, cost-effective surveillance method based deep learning mid-infrared spectra cuticle that simultaneously identifies species and class three main vectors in natural...
Abstract The T cell coinhibitory receptor CTLA-4 has been implicated in the down-regulation of function that is a quintessential feature chronic human filarial infections. In laboratory model filariasis, Litomosoides sigmodontis infection susceptible BALB/c mice, we have previously shown susceptibility linked both to CD4+CD25+ regulatory (Treg) response, and development hyporesponsive CD4+ cells at site, pleural cavity. We now provide evidence L. drives proliferation activation CD4+Foxp3+...
Epidemiological surveys of malaria currently rely on microscopy, polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR) or rapid diagnostic test kits for Plasmodium infections (RDTs). This study investigated whether mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy coupled with supervised machine learning could constitute an alternative method screening, directly from dried human blood spots.Filter papers containing spots (DBS) were obtained a cross-sectional survey in 12 wards southeastern Tanzania 2018/19. The DBS scanned...
Abstract Background The degree to which Anopheles mosquitoes prefer biting humans over other vertebrate hosts, i.e. the human blood index (HBI), is a crucial parameter for assessing malaria transmission risk. However, existing techniques identifying mosquito meals are demanding in terms of time and effort, involve costly reagents, prone inaccuracies due factors such as cross-reactivity with antigens or partially digested gut. This study demonstrates first field application mid-infrared...
During larval development, filarial nematodes adjust their lifelong reproductive strategy to the presence of anti-parasitic immune cells that determine host resistance and experimental vaccine efficacy.
Wolbachia, endosymbiotic bacteria of the order Rickettsiales, are widespread in arthropods but also present nematodes. In arthropods, A and B supergroup Wolbachia generally associated with distortion host reproduction. filarial nematodes, including some human parasites, multiple lines experimental evidence indicate that C D essential for survival host, here symbiotic relationship is considered mutualistic. The origin this mutualistic endosymbiosis interest both basic applied reasons: How...
Urban and forest habitats differ in many aspects that can lead to modifications of the immune system wild animals. Altered parasite communities, pollution artificial light at night cities have been associated with exacerbated inflammatory responses, possibly negative fitness consequences, but few data are available from free-living Here, we investigate how urbanisation affects major pathways experimentally test potentially contributing factors blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) an urban site....
<ns3:p>Despite the global efforts made in fight against malaria, disease is resurging. One of main causes resistance that <ns3:italic>Anopheles</ns3:italic> mosquitoes, vectors disease, have developed to insecticides. must survive for at least 10 days possibly transmit malaria. Therefore, evaluate and improve malaria vector control interventions, it imperative monitor accurately estimate age distribution mosquito populations as well their population sizes. Here, we demonstrate a...
<ns3:p>Despite the global efforts made in fight against malaria, disease is resurging. One of main causes resistance that <ns3:italic>Anopheles</ns3:italic> mosquitoes, vectors disease, have developed to insecticides. must survive for at least 10 days possibly transmit malaria. Therefore, evaluate and improve malaria vector control interventions, it imperative monitor accurately estimate age distribution mosquito populations as well their population sizes. Here, we demonstrate a...
The propensity of different Anopheles mosquitoes to bite humans instead other vertebrates influences their capacity transmit pathogens humans. Unfortunately, determining proportions that have fed on humans, i.e. Human Blood Index (HBI), currently requires expensive and time-consuming laboratory procedures involving enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Here, mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy supervised machine learning are used accurately distinguish...
Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths are common parasites of humans, wildlife, and livestock, causing chronic infections. In humans poor nutrition or limited resources can compromise an individual's immune response, predisposing them to higher helminth burdens. This relationship has been tested in laboratory models by investigating infection outcomes following reductions specific nutrients. However, much less is known about how diet supplementation impact susceptibility infection, acquisition...
Old mosquitoes are more likely to transmit malaria than young ones. Therefore, accurate prediction of mosquito population age can drastically improve the evaluation mosquito-targeted interventions. However, standard methods for age-grading laborious and costly. We have shown that Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) be used detect age-specific patterns in cuticles thus train machine learning models. these models tend transfer poorly across populations. Here, we investigate whether applying...
Filarial nematodes (superfamily Filarioidea) are responsible for an annual global health burden of ∼6.3 million disability-adjusted life-years, which represents the greatest single component morbidity attributable to helminths affecting humans. No vaccine exists major filarial diseases, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis; in part because research on protective immunity against filariae has been constrained by inability human-parasitic species complete their lifecycles laboratory mice....
Despite the global efforts made in fight against malaria, disease is resurging. One of main causes resistance that Anopheles mosquitoes, vectors disease, have developed to insecticides. must survive for at least 10 days possibly transmit malaria. Therefore, evaluate and improve malaria vector control interventions, it imperative monitor accurately estimate age distribution mosquito populations as well their population sizes. Here, we demonstrate a machine-learning based approach uses...