A5006020493- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Helminth infection and control
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Calcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research
- Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Complement system in diseases
- Plant Disease Management Techniques
Natural History Museum
2020-2024
London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research
2023
University of Oxford
2012-2015
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
2013
Kennedy Center
2013
Institute of Rheumatology
2013
New York University
2001-2005
John Radcliffe Hospital
1995-1999
<h3>Background</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by autoimmunity to citrullinated proteins, and there increasing epidemiologic evidence linking <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> RA. <i>P apparently unique among periodontal pathogens in possessing a citrullinating enzyme, peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD) with the potential generate antigens driving autoimmune response. <h3>Objectives</h3> To examine immune response PPAD patients RA, individuals periodontitis (PD) controls...
Abstract Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease targeted for elimination as public health issue by 2030, however there an urgent need more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests suitable to resource-limited settings. Here we developed CATSH, CRISPR-assisted test Schistosoma haematobium, utilising recombinase polymerase amplification, Cas12a-targeted cleavage portable real-time fluorescence detection. CATSH showed high analytical sensitivity, consistent detection of single...
ABSTRACT. The DNA sequences of a portion the 5‐enolpyruvyl shikimate phosphate synthase domain arom gene, encoding pentafunctional AROM protein, were determined from isolates Pneumocystis carinii five mammalian host species (rat, human, ferret, rabbit and mouse). High levels genetic divergence found among P. derived different hosts species, 7–22% at sequence level, 7–26% amino acid level. Two separate distinct isolated infected ferret lungs. Low seen in human‐derived organisms.
Accurate diagnosis followed by timely treatment is an effective strategy for the prevention of complications together with reducing schistosomiasis transmission. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) a simple, rapid, sensitive, and specific isothermal method low resource needs. This research aimed at development optimisation real-time (RT) lateral flow (LF) RPA assay detection Schistosoma mansoni.Recombinase reactions were performed full- (as recommended) half-volumes (to reduce costs),...
African trypanosomes are lipid auxotrophs that live in the bloodstream of their human and animal hosts. Trypanosomes require lipoproteins addition to other serum components order multiply under axenic culture conditions. Delipidation abrogates capacity support trypanosome growth. Both major classes lipoproteins, LDL HDL, primary sources lipids, delivering cholesterol esters, cholesterol, phospholipids trypanosomes. We show evidence for existence a lipoprotein scavenger receptor, which...
SUMMARY A number of studies have found increased levels antibodies to human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It is not clear whether this immune response driven by the HERV itself or cross-reactions with an exogenous virus autoantigen. To address question, we examined antibody Env protein two closely related members HERV-K family, HERV-K10 and IDDMK1,222. By immunoblotting recombinant proteins, were 32–47% 84 sera from patients disease, 29% 35 normal...
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease of medical and veterinary importance, transmitted through specific freshwater snail intermediate hosts, is targeted for elimination in several endemic regions sub-Saharan Africa. Multi-disciplinary methods are required both human environmental diagnostics to certify schistosomiasis when eventually reached. Molecular xenomonitoring protocols, DNA-based detection method screening vectors, have been developed trialed parasites by hematophagous...
Improvements in diagnostics for schistosomiasis both humans and snail hosts are priorities to be able reach the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating disease as a public health problem by 2030. In this context, molecular isothermal amplification tests, such Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA), promising use endemic areas at point-of-need their accuracy, robustness, simplicity, time-effectiveness. The developed recombinase polymerase assay targeting Schistosoma mansoni...
Summary: Copies of a multi-gene family, named PRT1 (protease 1, encoding subtilisin-like serine protease were cloned from the opportunistic fungal pathogen Pneumocystis carinii. Comparison nucleotide sequence genomic clone and cDNA P. carinii f. sp. revealed presence seven short introns. Several different domains predicted deduced amino acid sequence: an N-terminal hydrophobic signal sequence, pro-domain, catalytic domain, P-domain (essential for proteolytic activity), proline-rich...
The subtelomeric regions of the chromosomes many organisms contain gene families that allow adaptation to a changing environment. In number parasites, these encode cell surface proteins undergo antigenic variation. Proteases are another important virulence determinant in pathogenic microorganisms. We report localization PRT1 protease fungus Pneumocystis carinii sp. f. , encoded by family, both trophozoite and cyst phase organism. Using anti‐PRT1 antiserum, we demonstrated specificity P....
Abstract Aim The poleward range expansion of tropical species, and contraction temperate species (known as tropicalisation) has mainly been studied from an ecological perspective, with little research on its genetic consequences. Here, we used distributional data to document the consequences tropicalisation in rocky shore gastropods assess more broadly future implications phylogeographic patterns. Location Nineteen sampling sites along >3000 km eastern Pacific intertidal zone, tip Baja...
Abstract Background Urogenital schistosomiasis is caused by the parasitic trematode Schistosoma haematobium . Sensitive and specific point-of-care diagnostics are needed for elimination of this disease. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays meet these criteria, an assay to diagnose S. has been developed (Sh-RPA). However, false-positive results can occur, optimisation reaction conditions mitigate needed. Ease use compatibility DNA extraction methods must also be considered....
A new species of encyrtid wasp, Ooencyrtus pitosina Polaszek, Noyes & Fusu sp. n., (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae: Encyrtinae) is described as a gregarious parasitoid in the eggs endemic Samoan swallowtail butterfly Papilio godeffroyi (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) archipelago. It here because it an important natural enemy this butterfly, and to facilitate identification for future work with its host.
<h3>Backgroundand objectives</h3> <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>, a major periodontal pathogen, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is only pathogenic prokaryote known to possess bacterial peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD), an enzyme that catalyses post-translational modification arginine citrulline. The surface expressed and citrullinates c-terminal arginines human fibrinogen enolase peptides. Here, authors show PPAD capable autocitrullination able...
<h3>Background</h3> Anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPAs) are the key pathogenic autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because smoking is a risk factor for RA and ACPA often appear years before onset of disease, it has been proposed that lung may be site priming response. Previous studies using immunohistochemistry suggested upregulates expression PAD2 PAD4 with resultant increased citrullinated proteins. However these limited by availability healthy tissue. In this...