A5081770463- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Malaria Research and Control
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant and animal studies
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Folate and B Vitamins Research
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Digital Imaging for Blood Diseases
- Viral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects
Technical University of Kenya
2018-2025
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
2018-2022
University of Nairobi
2017-2022
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
2016
University of the Western Cape
2014
South African National Biodiversity Institute
2014
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
2014
Tsetse flies are the sole vectors of human African trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Both sexes adult tsetse feed exclusively on blood and contribute to disease transmission. Notable differences between other include obligate microbial symbioses, viviparous reproduction, lactation. Here, we describe sequence annotation 366-megabase Glossina morsitans genome. Analysis genome 12,308 predicted protein-encoding genes led multiple discoveries, including chromosomal integrations...
Abstract Divergent populations across different environments are exposed to critical sensory information related locating a host or mate, as well avoiding predators and pathogens. These signals generate evolutionary changes in neuroanatomy behavior; however, few studies have investigated patterns of neural architecture that occur between systems, within large groups closely-related organisms. Here we examine 62 species the genus Drosophila describe an inverse resource allocation vision...
Finding a suitable oviposition site is challenging task for gravid female moth. At the same time, it of paramount importance considering limited capability most caterpillars to relocate alternative host plants. The hawkmoth, Manduca sexta (Sphingidae), oviposits on solanaceous Larvae hatching plant that already attacked by conspecific can face food competition, as well an increased exposure predators and induced defenses. Here, we show feces from are sufficient deter M. ovipositing this...
Tsetse flies use olfactory and gustatory responses, through odorant receptors (ORs GRs), to interact with their environment. Glossina morsitans genome ORs GRs were annotated using homologs of these genes in Drosophila melanogaster an ab initio approach based on OR GR specific motifs G. m. gene models coupled ontology (GO). Phylogenetic relationships among the or determined Maximum Likelihood estimates. Relative expression levels established RNA-seq data derived from adult female fly....
Comparative analyses of multiple genomes are used extensively to examine the gains and losses chemosensory receptors across genus Drosophila. However, few studies have delved into functional olfactory characteristics. Here we assess function 20 species, identify describe several similar elements evolution. We document (a) minor changes in ligands based on amino acid substitutions, (b) major or perhaps entire receptor replacements, (c) that only a subject repeated changes, whereas 32 out 37...
Background COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a communicable respiratory viral disease with no effective curative medicine. The structure of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has conserved modules that facilitate both infection and fusion into human host cells. These serve as crucial targets for synthesized natural antivirals therapeutics. In this study, our objective was to explore the potential ethno-medicinal practice molecular modelling phytochemicals in informing drug against COVID-19...
Abstract Chemoreceptors help insects to interact with their environment, detect and assess food sources oviposition sites, aid in intra- interspecific communication. In Hymenoptera, species of eusocial lineages possess large chemoreceptor gene repertoires compared solitary species, possibly because additional need recognize nest-mates caste. However, a critical piece information missing so far has been the size apoid wasps. Apoid wasps are paraphyletic group almost exclusively Hymenoptera...
High levels of genetic diversity are common characteristics Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations in high malaria transmission regions. There has been a decline intensity over 12 years surveillance the community Kilifi, Kenya. This study sought to investigate whether there was corresponding reduction P. diversity, using msp2 as marker.Blood samples were obtained from children (< 15 years) enrolled into cohort with active weekly between 2007 and 2018 Asymptomatic infections defined...
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the etiological agent of ASF, a fatal hemorrhagic that affects domestic pigs. There currently no vaccine against ASFV, making it significant threat to pork industry. The ASFV genome sequence has been published; however, about half open reading frames have not characterized in terms their structure and function despite being essential for our understanding pathogenicity. present study reports three-dimensional uncharacterized protein, pB263R ( NP_042780.1...
Comparative analysis of multiple genomes has been used extensively to examine the evolution chemosensory receptors across genus Drosophila . However, few studies have delved into functional characteristics, as most relied exclusively on genomic data alone, especially for non-model species. In order increase our understanding olfactory evolution, we generated a comprehensive assessment functions associated with antenna and palps suzukii well several other members subgenus Sophophora , thus...
Rotaviruses are primary etiological agents of gastroenteritis in young children. In Kenya, G1P8 monovalent vaccine (Rotarix) was introduced July 2014 for mandatory vaccination all newborns at 6 and 10 weeks age. Since then, no studies have been done to identify the rotavirus genotypes circulating Nairobi County, following introduction, hence post-vaccine genotype distribution is not known.The aim this study determine occurrence children <5 years age Kenya.Stool samples were collected from...
Rotaviruses are one of the leading etiological agents gastroenteritis in young children, for which a monovalent G1P(8) vaccine has been provided free Kenyan since July 2014. The main objective was to estimate post prevalence and seasonal distribution rotavirus diarrhea children less than 5 years Nairobi County, Kenya. Rotavirus positive samples were collected from below age two hospitals within County where vaccination status card-confirmed. examined demographic clinical profiles recorded....
Abstract The profound advances in the biomolecular sciences over last decades have enabled similar biomedicine. These increasingly challenged our abilities to deploy them an equitable and ethically acceptable manner. As such, it has become necessary important teach biomedical scientific ethics students who will researchers, medical professionals, global citizens of future. biosciences medicine are made, developed, used across globe, survival on endangered planet requires dialog consensual...
Tsetse flies (Glossina) are vectors of African trypanosomiasis. Olfaction plays a critical role in Glossina behavior, including larviposition, feeding, and reproduction. Odorant receptors (ORs) important insect chemoreception as they bind volatile odorants transport them to olfactory receptor neurons elicit behavioral response. To better understand chemoreception, we used quantitative polymerase chain reaction examine the expression levels ORs female male morsitans Wiedemann, 1850 (Diptera:...
African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection is fatal in domesticated pigs, with a mortality rate approaching 100%. This may result economic losses and threats to food security. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral therapies for ASFV. Therefore, this study, we evaluated congocidine congeners tris-benzimidazole as potential inhibitors of ASFV transcription using an silico approach. We applied redocking docking its receptor containing B-DNA AT-motifs target mimic conserved late...
Sodium metabisulfite (SMB) is a biocide and antioxidant agent generally used as preservative in food beverage industries but can oxidize to harmful sulfite radicals. A standardized Ginkgo biloba (EGb-761) has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activities, which beneficial for the treatment of diseases that exhibit oxidative stress inflammation. The present study sought investigate putative ameliorative effects EGb-761 against SMB-induced toxicity mice. Thirty-two male Swiss white mice...
Tsetse flies use antennal expressed genes to navigate their environment. While most canonical associated with chemoreception are annotated, potential gaps important uncharacterized in Glossina morsitans . We generated antennae-specific transcriptomes from adult male G m fed/unfed on bloodmeal and/or exposed an attractant (ε-nonalactone), a repellant (δ-nonalactone) or paraffin diluent. Using bioinformatics approach, we mapped raw reads onto gene-set VectorBase and collected un-mapped...