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Professor Ben Makepeace
BSc (Hons) MSc PhD

Contact

Blm1@liverpool.ac.uk

+44 (0)151 794 1586

Publications

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2024

Cappable-Seq reveals the transcriptional landscape of stress responses in the bacterial endosymbiont<i>Wolbachia</i>

DOI
10.1101/2024.08.15.608088
Preprint

Establishment and partial characterisation of a new cell line derived from adult tissues of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans.

Bell-Sakyi, L., Haines, L. R., Petrucci, G., Beliavskaia, A., Hartley, C., Khoo, J. J., . . . Darby, A. C. (2024). Establishment and partial characterisation of a new cell line derived from adult tissues of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans.. Parasites & vectors, 17(1), 231. doi:10.1186/s13071-024-06310-9

DOI
10.1186/s13071-024-06310-9
Journal article

Microbiome and mitogenomics of the chigger mite Pentidionis agamae: potential role as an Orientia vector and associations with divergent clades of Wolbachia and Borrelia

Alkathiry, H. A., Alghamdi, S. Q., Sinha, A., Margos, G., Stekolnikov, A. A., Alagaili, A. N., . . . Khoo, J. J. (2024). Microbiome and mitogenomics of the chigger mite Pentidionis agamae: potential role as an Orientia vector and associations with divergent clades of Wolbachia and Borrelia. BMC Genomics, 25(1). doi:10.1186/s12864-024-10301-6

DOI
10.1186/s12864-024-10301-6
Journal article

Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis Indicates Potential Cryptic Speciation in the Chigger Mite <i>Neoschoengastia gallinarum</i> (Hatori, 1920) Parasitising Birds in Asia.

Rajasegaran, P., Koosakulnirand, S., Tan, K. -K., Khoo, J. J., Suliman, Y., Mansor, M. S., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2024). Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis Indicates Potential Cryptic Speciation in the Chigger Mite <i>Neoschoengastia gallinarum</i> (Hatori, 1920) Parasitising Birds in Asia.. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 14(6), 980. doi:10.3390/ani14060980

DOI
10.3390/ani14060980
Journal article

2023

On the taxonomy of chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) parasitizing birds in Thailand and Malaysia, with the description of a new species

Koosakulnirand, S., Rajasegaran, P., Alkathiry, H. A., Chaisiri, K., Round, P. D., Eiamampai, K., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2023). On the taxonomy of chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) parasitizing birds in Thailand and Malaysia, with the description of a new species. Acarologia, 63(4), 1109-1138. doi:10.24349/yt89-g1ei

DOI
10.24349/yt89-g1ei
Journal article

Metagenomics of culture isolates and insect tissue illuminate the evolution of <i>Wolbachia</i>, <i>Rickettsia</i> and <i>Bartonella</i> symbionts in <i>Ctenocephalides</i> spp. fleas.

Beliavskaia, A., Tan, K. -K., Sinha, A., Husin, N. A., Lim, F. S., Loong, S. K., . . . Khoo, J. J. (2023). Metagenomics of culture isolates and insect tissue illuminate the evolution of <i>Wolbachia</i>, <i>Rickettsia</i> and <i>Bartonella</i> symbionts in <i>Ctenocephalides</i> spp. fleas.. Microbial genomics, 9(7). doi:10.1099/mgen.0.001045

DOI
10.1099/mgen.0.001045
Journal article

2022

Co-Administration of Adjuvanted Recombinant <i>Ov</i>-103 and <i>Ov</i>-RAL-2 Vaccines Confer Protection against Natural Challenge in A Bovine <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> Infection Model of Human Onchocerciasis

Luu, L., Bah, G. S., Okah-Nnane, N. H., Hartley, C. S., Glover, A. F., Walsh, T. R., . . . Graham-Brown, J. (2022). Co-Administration of Adjuvanted Recombinant <i>Ov</i>-103 and <i>Ov</i>-RAL-2 Vaccines Confer Protection against Natural Challenge in A Bovine <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> Infection Model of Human Onchocerciasis. VACCINES, 10(6). doi:10.3390/vaccines10060861

DOI
10.3390/vaccines10060861
Journal article

2021

Automatic barcode gap discovery reveals diverse clades of <i>Rhipicephalus</i> spp. and <i>Haemaphysalis</i> spp. ticks from small mammals in 'Asir, Saudi Arabia

Alghamdi, S. Q., Low, V. L., Alkathiry, H. A., Alagaili, A. N., McGarry, J. W., & Makepeace, B. L. (2021). Automatic barcode gap discovery reveals diverse clades of <i>Rhipicephalus</i> spp. and <i>Haemaphysalis</i> spp. ticks from small mammals in 'Asir, Saudi Arabia. PARASITES & VECTORS, 14(1). doi:10.1186/s13071-021-05049-x

DOI
10.1186/s13071-021-05049-x
Journal article

Development of emodepside as a possible adulticidal treatment for human onchocerciasis-The fruit of a successful industrial-academic collaboration

Kruecken, J., Holden-Dye, L., Keiser, J., Prichard, R. K., Townson, S., Makepeace, B. L., . . . Kulke, D. (2021). Development of emodepside as a possible adulticidal treatment for human onchocerciasis-The fruit of a successful industrial-academic collaboration. PLOS PATHOGENS, 17(7). doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1009682

DOI
10.1371/journal.ppat.1009682
Journal article

Emodepside targets SLO-1 channels of <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> and induces broad anthelmintic effects in a bovine model of onchocerciasis

Bah, G. S., Schneckener, S., Hahnel, S. R., Bayang, N. H., Fieseler, H., Schmuck, G. M., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2021). Emodepside targets SLO-1 channels of <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> and induces broad anthelmintic effects in a bovine model of onchocerciasis. PLOS PATHOGENS, 17(6). doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1009601

DOI
10.1371/journal.ppat.1009601
Journal article

Automatic barcode gap discovery reveals diverse clades of Rhipicephalus spp. and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks from small mammals in 'Asir, Saudi Arabia

DOI
10.21203/rs.3.rs-451035/v1
Preprint

<i>Onchocerca volvulus</i> bivalent subunit vaccine induces protective immunity in genetically diverse collaborative cross recombinant inbred intercross mice

Ryan, N. M., Hess, J. A., de Villena, F. P. -M., Leiby, B. E., Shimada, A., Yu, L., . . . Abraham, D. (2021). <i>Onchocerca volvulus</i> bivalent subunit vaccine induces protective immunity in genetically diverse collaborative cross recombinant inbred intercross mice. NPJ VACCINES, 6(1). doi:10.1038/s41541-020-00276-2

DOI
10.1038/s41541-020-00276-2
Journal article

2020

Isolation and Propagation of Laboratory Strains and a Novel Flea-Derived Field Strain of Wolbachia in Tick Cell Lines

Khoo, J. J., Kurtti, T., Husin, N. A., Beliavskaia, A., Lim, F. S., Zulkifli, M. M. S., . . . Bell-Sakyi, L. (2020). Isolation and Propagation of Laboratory Strains and a Novel Flea-Derived Field Strain of Wolbachia in Tick Cell Lines. Microorganisms, 8(7). doi:10.3390/microorganisms8070988

DOI
10.3390/microorganisms8070988
Journal article

2019

Ecological and microbiological diversity of chigger mites, including vectors of scrub typhus, on small mammals across stratified habitats in Thailand

Chaisiri, K., Gill, A. C., Stekolnikov, A. A., Hinjoy, S., McGarry, J. W., Darby, A. C., . . . Makepeace, B. (2019). Ecological and microbiological diversity of chigger mites, including vectors of scrub typhus, on small mammals across stratified habitats in Thailand. Animal Microbiome, 1. doi:10.1186/s42523-019-0019-x

DOI
10.1186/s42523-019-0019-x
Journal article

Characterisation of a novel glycosylated glutathione transferase of Onchocerca ochengi, closest relative of the human river blindness parasite.

Rose, C., Praulins, G., Armstrong, S. D., Casas-Sanchez, A., Davis, J., Molyneux, G., . . . Acosta-Serrano, A. (2019). Characterisation of a novel glycosylated glutathione transferase of Onchocerca ochengi, closest relative of the human river blindness parasite.. Parasitology, 1-27. doi:10.1017/s0031182019000763

DOI
10.1017/s0031182019000763
Journal article

Aquatic Hemiptera in Southwest Cameroon: Biodiversity of Potential Reservoirs of <i>Mycobacterium ulcerans</i> and Multiple <i>Wolbachia</i> Sequence Types Revealed by Metagenomics

Esemu, S. N., Dong, X., Kfusi, A. J., Hartley, C. S., Ndip, R. N., Ndip, L. M., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2019). Aquatic Hemiptera in Southwest Cameroon: Biodiversity of Potential Reservoirs of <i>Mycobacterium ulcerans</i> and Multiple <i>Wolbachia</i> Sequence Types Revealed by Metagenomics. DIVERSITY-BASEL, 11(12). doi:10.3390/d11120225

DOI
10.3390/d11120225
Journal article

Multi-locus sequence typing of <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and its symbiont <i>Candidatus</i> Midichloria mitochondrii across Europe reveals evidence of local co-cladogenesis in Scotland

Al-Khafaji, A. M., Clegg, S. R., Pinder, A. C., Luu, L., Hansford, K. M., Seelig, F., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2019). Multi-locus sequence typing of <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and its symbiont <i>Candidatus</i> Midichloria mitochondrii across Europe reveals evidence of local co-cladogenesis in Scotland. TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, 10(1), 52-62. doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.08.016

DOI
10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.08.016
Journal article

2018

Autofluorescence microscopy for paired-matched morphological and molecular identification of individual chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae), the vectors of scrub typhus

Kumlert, R., Chaisiri, K., Anantatat, T., Stekolnikov, A. A., Morand, S., Prasartvit, A., . . . Paris, D. H. (2018). Autofluorescence microscopy for paired-matched morphological and molecular identification of individual chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae), the vectors of scrub typhus. PLOS ONE, 13(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193163

DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0193163
Journal article

2017

Lipid profiling of the filarial nematodes <i>Onchocerca volvulus</i>, <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> and <i>Litomosoides sigmodontis</i> reveals the accumulation of nematode-specific ether phospholipids in the host

Wewer, V., Makepeace, B. L., Tanya, V. N., Peisker, H., Pfarr, K., Hoerauf, A., & Doermann, P. (2017). Lipid profiling of the filarial nematodes <i>Onchocerca volvulus</i>, <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> and <i>Litomosoides sigmodontis</i> reveals the accumulation of nematode-specific ether phospholipids in the host. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY, 47(14), 903-912. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.06.001

DOI
10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.06.001
Journal article

2016

Stage-specific Proteomes from Onchocerca ochengi, Sister Species of the Human River Blindness Parasite, Uncover Adaptations to a Nodular Lifestyle

Armstrong, S. D., Xia, D., Bah, G. S., Krishna, R., Ngangyung, H. F., LaCourse, E. J., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2016). Stage-specific Proteomes from Onchocerca ochengi, Sister Species of the Human River Blindness Parasite, Uncover Adaptations to a Nodular Lifestyle. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 15(8), 2554-2575. doi:10.1074/mcp.M115.055640

DOI
10.1074/mcp.M115.055640
Journal article

A Revised Checklist of Chigger Mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) From Thailand, with the Description of Three New Species

Chaisiri, K., Stekolnikov, A. A., Makepeace, B. L., & Morand, S. (2016). A Revised Checklist of Chigger Mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) From Thailand, with the Description of Three New Species. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY, 53(2), 321-342. doi:10.1093/jme/tjv244

DOI
10.1093/jme/tjv244
Journal article

Breakdown of coevolution between symbiotic bacteria <i>Wolbachia</i> and their filarial hosts

Lefoulon, E., Bain, O., Makepeace, B. L., d'Haese, C., Uni, S., Martin, C., & Gavotte, L. (2016). Breakdown of coevolution between symbiotic bacteria <i>Wolbachia</i> and their filarial hosts. PEERJ, 4. doi:10.7717/peerj.1840

DOI
10.7717/peerj.1840
Journal article

Wolbachia

Makepeace, B. L., & Gill, A. C. (2016). Wolbachia. In Rickettsiales (pp. 465-512). Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46859-4_21

DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-46859-4_21
Chapter

2015

Supergroup <i>C Wolbachia</i>, mutualist symbionts of filarial nematodes, have a distinct genome structure

Comandatore, F., Cordaux, R., Bandi, C., Blaxter, M., Darby, A., Makepeace, B. L., . . . Sassera, D. (2015). Supergroup <i>C Wolbachia</i>, mutualist symbionts of filarial nematodes, have a distinct genome structure. OPEN BIOLOGY, 5(12). doi:10.1098/rsob.150099

DOI
10.1098/rsob.150099
Journal article

HOW FILARIAL NEMATODE GENOMES HAVE ACCELERATED THE DISCOVERY OF VACCINE AND DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKER CANDIDATES.

Makepeace, B. L., Buck, A. H., Carlow, C. K. S., Babayan, S. A., Tanya, V. N., Taylor, D. W., & Blaxter, M. L. (2015). HOW FILARIAL NEMATODE GENOMES HAVE ACCELERATED THE DISCOVERY OF VACCINE AND DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKER CANDIDATES.. JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY, 47(3), 253. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/

Journal article

2014

Comparative Analysis of the Secretome from a Model Filarial Nematode (<i>Litomosoides sigmodontis</i>) Reveals Maximal Diversity in Gravid Female Parasites

Armstrong, S. D., Babayan, S. A., Lhermitte-Vallarino, N., Gray, N., Xia, D., Martin, C., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2014). Comparative Analysis of the Secretome from a Model Filarial Nematode (<i>Litomosoides sigmodontis</i>) Reveals Maximal Diversity in Gravid Female Parasites. MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS, 13(10), 2527-2544. doi:10.1074/mcp.M114.038539

DOI
10.1074/mcp.M114.038539
Journal article

Efficacy of Three-Week Oxytetracycline or Rifampin Monotherapy Compared with a Combination Regimen against the Filarial Nematode <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i>

Bah, G. S., Ward, E. L., Srivastava, A., Trees, A. J., Tanya, V. N., & Makepeace, B. L. (2014). Efficacy of Three-Week Oxytetracycline or Rifampin Monotherapy Compared with a Combination Regimen against the Filarial Nematode <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i>. ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY, 58(2), 801-810. doi:10.1128/AAC.01995-13

DOI
10.1128/AAC.01995-13
Journal article

Vaccines, Polypeptides, and Nucleic Acids

Makepeace, B. (2014). Vaccines, Polypeptides, and Nucleic Acids.

Patent

2013

Phylogenomics and Analysis of Shared Genes Suggest a Single Transition to Mutualism in <i>Wolbachia</i> of Nematodes

Comandatore, F., Sassera, D., Montagna, M., Kumar, S., Koutsovoulos, G., Thomas, G., . . . Blaxter, M. (2013). Phylogenomics and Analysis of Shared Genes Suggest a Single Transition to Mutualism in <i>Wolbachia</i> of Nematodes. GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 5(9), 1668-1674. doi:10.1093/gbe/evt125

DOI
10.1093/gbe/evt125
Journal article

Phylogenomics and Analysis of Shared Genes Suggest a Single Transition to Mutualism in Wolbachia of Nematodes

Comandatore, F., Sassera, D., Montagna, M., Kumar, S., Koutsovoulos, G., Thomas, G., . . . Blaxter, M. (2013). Phylogenomics and Analysis of Shared Genes Suggest a Single Transition to Mutualism in Wolbachia of Nematodes. Genome Biology and Evolution, 5(9), 1668-1674. doi:10.1093/gbe/evt125

DOI
10.1093/gbe/evt125
Journal article

2012

Analysis of gene expression from the <i>Wolbachia</i> genome of a filarial nematode supports both metabolic and defensive roles within the symbiosis

Darby, A. C., Armstrong, S. D., Bah, G. S., Kaur, G., Hughes, M. A., Kay, S. M., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2012). Analysis of gene expression from the <i>Wolbachia</i> genome of a filarial nematode supports both metabolic and defensive roles within the symbiosis. GENOME RESEARCH, 22(12), 2467-2477. doi:10.1101/gr.138420.112

DOI
10.1101/gr.138420.112
Journal article

2011

A worm's best friend: recruitment of neutrophils by Wolbachia confounds eosinophil degranulation against the filarial nematode Onchocerca ochengi.

Hansen, R. D. E., Trees, A. J., Bah, G. S., Hetzel, U., Martin, C., Bain, O., . . . Makepeace, B. L. (2011). A worm's best friend: recruitment of neutrophils by Wolbachia confounds eosinophil degranulation against the filarial nematode Onchocerca ochengi.. Proceedings. Biological sciences, 278(1716), 2293-2302. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2367

DOI
10.1098/rspb.2010.2367
Journal article

2010

Onchocerca armillata contains the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia and elicits a limited inflammatory response.

Neary, J. M., Trees, A. J., Ekale, D. D., Tanya, V. N., Hetzel, U., & Makepeace, B. L. (2010). Onchocerca armillata contains the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia and elicits a limited inflammatory response.. Veterinary parasitology, 174(3-4), 267-276. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.031

DOI
10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.031
Journal article

2009

Immunisation with a Multivalent, Subunit Vaccine Reduces Patent Infection in a Natural Bovine Model of Onchocerciasis during Intense Field Exposure

Makepeace, B. L., Jensen, S. A., Laney, S. J., Nfon, C. K., Njongmeta, L. M., Tanya, V. N., . . . Trees, A. J. (n.d.). Immunisation with a Multivalent, Subunit Vaccine Reduces Patent Infection in a Natural Bovine Model of Onchocerciasis during Intense Field Exposure. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 3(11), e544. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000544

DOI
10.1371/journal.pntd.0000544
Journal article

2008

2007

Lack of resistance after re-exposure of cattle cured of Onchocerca ochengi infection with oxytetracycline.

Nfon, C. K., Makepeace, B. L., Njongmeta, L. M., Tanya, V. N., & Trees, A. J. (2007). Lack of resistance after re-exposure of cattle cured of Onchocerca ochengi infection with oxytetracycline.. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 76(1), 67-72. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2007.76.67

DOI
10.4269/ajtmh.2007.76.67
Journal article

2006

Eosinophils contribute to killing of adult Onchocerca ochengi within onchocercomata following elimination of Wolbachia.

Nfon, C. K., Makepeace, B. L., Njongmeta, L. M., Tanya, V. N., Bain, O., & Trees, A. J. (2006). Eosinophils contribute to killing of adult Onchocerca ochengi within onchocercomata following elimination of Wolbachia.. Microbes and infection, 8(12-13), 2698-2705. doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2006.07.017

DOI
10.1016/j.micinf.2006.07.017
Journal article

In a bovine model of onchocerciasis, protective immunity exists naturally, is absent in drug-cured hosts, and is induced by vaccination.

Tchakouté, V. L., Graham, S. P., Jensen, S. A., Makepeace, B. L., Nfon, C. K., Njongmeta, L. M., . . . Trees, A. J. (2006). In a bovine model of onchocerciasis, protective immunity exists naturally, is absent in drug-cured hosts, and is induced by vaccination.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103(15), 5971-5976. doi:10.1073/pnas.0601385103

DOI
10.1073/pnas.0601385103
Journal article

Rate of elimination of Wolbachia pipientis by doxycycline in vitro increases following drug withdrawal.

Makepeace, B. L., Rodgers, L., & Trees, A. J. (2006). Rate of elimination of Wolbachia pipientis by doxycycline in vitro increases following drug withdrawal.. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 50(3), 922-927. doi:10.1128/aac.50.3.922-927.2006

DOI
10.1128/aac.50.3.922-927.2006
Journal article