A5012351293- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Respiratory viral infections research
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- RNA Research and Splicing
Cardiff University
2020-2023
University of York
2022
University of Notre Dame
2018
Michigan State University
2012-2016
Michigan United
2014-2016
Albion College
2015
Filarial nematodes cause chronic and profoundly debilitating diseases in both humans animals. Applications of novel technology are providing unprecedented opportunities to improve diagnosis our understanding the molecular basis for host-parasite interactions. As a first step, we investigated presence circulating miRNAs released by filarial into host bloodstream. miRNA deep-sequencing combined with bioinformatics revealed over 200 mature sequences potential nematode origin Dirofilaria...
Abstract The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution repeats and genes, we manually improved sequence annotated genes on D. erecta, mojavensis, grimshawi elements euchromatic domains from D element. We find that have greater transposon density (25–50%) than reference regions (3–11%). Among elements, has lowest...
Abstract Background The characterization of proteins released from filariae is an important step in addressing many the needs diagnosis and treatment these clinically parasites, as well contributing to a clearer understanding their biology. This report describes findings on during vitro cultivation adult Dirofilaria immitis , causative agent canine feline heartworm disease. Differences protein secretion among nematodes vivo may relate ecological niche each parasite pathological changes that...
Current control strategies for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) rely on prolonged yearly or twice-yearly mass administration of microfilaricidal drugs. Prospects near-term elimination eradication these diseases would be improved by availability a macrofilaricide that is highly effective in short regimen. Flubendazole (FLBZ), benzimidazole anthelmintic registered human gastrointestinal nematode infections, potential candidate this role. FLBZ has profound potent macrofilaricidal...
The use of a microfilaricidal drug for the control onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis necessitates prolonged yearly dosing. Prospects elimination or eradication these diseases would be enhanced by availability macrofilaricidal drug. Flubendazole (FLBZ), benzimidazole anthelmintic, is an appealing candidate macrofilaricide. FLBZ has demonstrated profound potent effects in number experimental filarial rodent models one human trial. Unfortunately, was deemed unsatisfactory mass...
T cell recognition of peptides presented by human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) is mediated the highly variable receptor (TCR). Despite this built-in TCR variability, individuals can mount immune responses against viral epitopes using identical or related TCRs expressed on CD8+ cells. Characterization these has extended our understanding molecular mechanisms that govern peptide-HLA. However, few examples exist for CD4+ Here, we investigate to internal proteins influenza A virus correlate with...
Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are neglected parasitic diseases which pose a threat to public health in tropical sub-tropical regions. Strategies for control elimination of these by mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns designed reduce symptoms transmission both parasites eventually eliminate the burden on health. Drugs used MDA predominantly microfilaricidal, prolonged rounds treatment required eradication. Understanding parasite biology is crucial unravelling complex processes...
The identification of excreted–secreted (ES) proteins filarial nematodes as potential diagnostic reagents is an important requirement for the development methods to determine level infection in host, especially human filariae. Dirofilaria immitis, canine heartworm, a widespread and veterinary pathogen useful model parasites humans. An analysis released from adult D. immitis (the secretome) culture available. We sought identify ES found vivo validate vitro secretome investigate them reagents....
Maf1 is a transcription factor that conserved in sequence and structure between yeasts, animals plants. Its principal molecular function also well conserved, being to bind repress RNA polymerase (pol) III, thereby inhibiting synthesis of tRNAs other noncoding RNAs. Restrictions on tRNA production hence protein can provide mechanism preserve resources under conditions are suboptimal for growth. Accordingly, found some organisms influence growth and/or stress survival. Because their sessile...
CD4+ T cells are central to adaptive immunity. Their role in cross protection viral infections such as influenza and SARS is well documented, however molecular rules governing TCR engagement of peptide-HLA class-II less understood. Here we exploit a unique aspect presentation, the peptide flanking residues (PFRs), “tune” cell responses within an vivo model system influenza. Using recombinant virus containing targeted substitutions at immunodominant HLA-DR1 epitopes, demonstrate limited...
Control and elimination of filarial pathogens is a central focus major global health efforts directed at parasitic diseases developing countries. Accomplishment these goals would be markedly enhanced by the destruction adult stage filariae. The identification new, more quantitative biomarkers that correlate with mortality or chemotherapeutic damage to filariae, greatly facilitate, for example, development new macrofilaricides. An immunocytochemical approach using an antibody against human...