A5083674318- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Livestock and Poultry Management
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Animal Diversity and Health Studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Biochemical and Molecular Research
- Respiratory viral infections research
University of South Africa
2023-2025
University of Edinburgh
2018-2025
Roslin Institute
2018-2025
International Livestock Research Institute
2013-2024
University of Lomé
2024
Agriculture Victoria
2017
AgriBio
2017
CABI Kenya
2012-2014
Centre International De Reference Chantal Biya
2014
J. Craig Venter Institute
2008-2013
African trypanosomes cause human sleeping sickness and livestock trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. We present the sequence analysis of 11 megabase-sized chromosomes Trypanosoma brucei. The 26-megabase genome contains 9068 predicted genes, including approximately 900 pseudogenes 1700 T. brucei-specific genes. Large subtelomeric arrays contain an archive 806 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes used by parasite to evade mammalian immune system. Most VSG are pseudogenes, which may be...
Schistosoma mansoni is responsible for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis that affects 210 million people in 76 countries. Here we present analysis of 363 megabase nuclear genome blood fluke. It encodes at least 11,809 genes, with an unusual intron size distribution, and new families micro-exon genes undergo frequent alternative splicing. As first sequenced flatworm, a representative Lophotrochozoa, it offers insights into early events evolution animals, including development...
A comparison of gene content and genome architecture Trypanosoma brucei, cruzi , Leishmania major three related pathogens with different life cycles disease pathology, revealed a conserved core proteome about 6200 genes in large syntenic polycistronic clusters. Many species-specific genes, especially surface antigen families, occur at nonsyntenic chromosome-internal subtelomeric regions. Retroelements, structural RNAs, family expansion are often associated discontinuities that—along...
Infection by human rhinovirus (HRV) is a major cause of upper and lower respiratory tract disease worldwide displays considerable phenotypic variation. We examined diversity completing the genome sequences for all known serotypes ( n = 99). Superimposition capsid crystal structure optimal-energy RNA configurations established alignments phylogeny. These revealed conserved motifs; clade-specific diversity, including potential newly identified species (HRV-D); mutations in field isolates;...
Most emerging health threats are of zoonotic origin. For the overwhelming majority, their causative agents RNA viruses which include but not limited to HIV, Influenza, SARS, Ebola, Dengue, and Hantavirus. Of increasing importance therefore is a better understanding global viral diversity enable surveillance prediction pandemic threats; this will require rapid flexible methods for complete genome sequencing. We have adapted SISPA methodology [1–3] sequencing DNA viruses. demonstrated utility...
The use of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to disrupt gene expression has become a powerful method achieving interference (RNAi) in wide variety organisms. However, Trypanosoma brucei this tool is restricted transient interference, because the dsRNA not stably maintained and its effects are diminished eventually lost during cellular division. Here, we show that genetic by can be achieved heritable inducible fashion. To this, established stable cell lines expressing form stem-loop structures...
Freshwater lakes and ponds present an ecological interface between humans a variety of host organisms. They are habitat for the larval stage many insects may serve as medium intraspecies interspecies transmission viruses such avian influenza A virus. Furthermore, freshwater bodies already known repositories disease-causing Norwalk Virus, Coxsackievirus, Echovirus, Adenovirus. While RNA virus populations have been studied in marine environments, to this date there has very limited analysis...
Abstract Background Transmission of arthropod-borne apicomplexan parasites that cause disease and result in death or persistent infection represents a major challenge to global human animal health. First described 1901 as Piroplasma equi , this re-emergent parasite was renamed Babesia subsequently Theileria reflecting an uncertain taxonomy. Understanding mechanisms by which evade immune chemotherapeutic elimination is required for development effective vaccines chemotherapeutics. The...
It has been known for almost a decade and half that in trypanosomes all mRNAs are trans-spliced by addition to the 5′ end of spliced leader (SL) sequence. During same time period conviction developed classical cis-splicing introns not present trypanosome genome gene arrangement is highly compact with small intergenic regions separating one from next. We have now discovered these tenets no longer true. Poly(A) polymerase (PAP) genes Trypanosoma brucei cruzi split intervening sequences 653 302...
A novel large multigene family was recently identified in the human pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease, and corresponds to ∼6% parasite diploid genome. The predicted gene products, mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs), are characterized by highly conserved N- C-terminal domains a strikingly variable repetitive central region. We report here an analysis genomic organization expression profile masp genes. Masps not randomly distributed throughout genome but...
Maize lethal necrosis is caused by a synergistic co-infection of chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and specific member the Potyviridae, such as Sugarcane mosaic (SCMV), Wheat streak (WSMV) or Johnson grass (JGMV). Typical maize symptoms include severe yellowing leaf drying from edges. In Kenya, we detected plants showing typical atypical symptoms. Both groups often tested negative for SCMV ELISA. We used next-generation sequencing to identify viruses associated in Kenya through metagenomics...
Beta-lactam and quinolone antimicrobials are commonly used for treatment of infections caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) other pathogens. Resistance to these classes has increased significantly in the recent years. However, little is known on genetic basis resistance drugs isolates from Ethiopia. with reduced susceptibility beta-lactams (n = 43) were tested genes encoding beta-lactamase enzymes, those resistant quinolones 29) mutations determining region (QRDR) as well plasmid...
Abstract More people globally depend on the water buffalo than any other domesticated species, and as most closely related species to cattle they can provide important insights into shared evolutionary basis of domestication. Here, we sequence genomes 79 across seven breeds compare patterns between breed selective sweeps with those seen for 294 representing 13 global breeds. The genomic regions under selection significantly overlap linked stature in human genetic studies, a disproportionate...
Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a major impediment to livestock production worldwide. Cattle trade transnational transhumance create risks for the spread of ticks threaten cattle in absence an effective tick control program. Few studies have been undertaken on Central African region; therefore, need assess occurrence spatial distribution vectors with aim establishing baseline monitoring future borne-diseases region is urgent.A total 7091 ixodid were collected during countrywide...
Members of the Argonaute protein family have been linked through a combination genetic and biochemical studies to RNA interference (RNAi) related phenomena. Here, we describe characterization first (AGO1) in Trypanosoma brucei, earliest divergent eukaryote where RNAi has described so far. AGO1 is predominantly cytoplasmic found ribonucleoprotein particle with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), this present soluble form, as well associated polyribosomes. A knockout leads loss RNAi,...
Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of single-stranded RNAs which play crucial role in regulating development and controlling gene expression by targeting mRNAs triggering either translation repression or messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation. miRNAs are widespread eukaryotes to date over 14,000 have been identified computational experimental approaches. Several highly conserved across species. In Schistosoma , the full set their patterns during remain poorly understood....
A culture-independent approach was used to elucidate the microbial diversity and structure in anaerobic-aerobic reactors integrated with a constructed wetland for treatment of tannery wastewater Modjo town, Ethiopia. The system has been running removal efficiencies ranging from 94%–96% COD, 91%–100% SO42- S2-, 92%–94% BOD, 56%–82% total Nitrogen 2%–90% NH3-N. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were community assemblies determined by analysis 801 unique sequences all sites. Operational Taxonomic...
Abstract Background The African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) is a nutritious traditional vegetable used in many countries, including Uganda and Nigeria. It thought to have been domesticated Africa from its wild relative, Solanum anguivi. S. aethiopicum has routinely as source of disease resistance genes for several Solanaceae crops, melongena. A lack genomic resources meant that breeding lagged behind other crops. Results We assembled 1.02-Gb draft genome aethiopicum, which contained...
The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is the most important arthropod vector of livestock diseases globally. Since its introduction in West Africa a decade ago, it has been reported Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria with potentially far-reaching adverse impacts on sector region. Cameroon located major route for transboundary trade between Central therefore at risk from R. invasion. This study investigated occurrence Cameroon, genetic polymorphism population structure...
African swine fever (ASF) is the most important disease constraining smallholder pig production in Democratic Republic of Congo, causing high mortality domestic pigs with severe impacts on livelihoods local populations. This study was conducted aim determining prevalence ASF and circulating virus genotypes asymptomatic raised farms South Kivu province to understand transmission dynamics ultimately improving control. A cross-sectional survey carried out 5 districts where 267 blood were...