Research
Investigating fly susceptibility to trypanosomatid parasites using Drosophila melanogaster as a model
Some of the most devastating neglected tropical diseases are caused by trypanosomatid parasites that are transmitted to humans and livestock via the bites of infected insects from the order Diptera (Flies). While most natural fly vectors pose a challenge to study under laboratory conditions, Drosophila melanogaster is a proven model for experimental studies with a well-established molecular, genetic and genomic toolkit and a vast of prior knowledge of its biology. Because D. melanogaster is host to several natural parasites that belong to the trypanosomatid group, it can also serve as a model for studying fly-parasite interactions.
In my lab, I use the trypanosomatid culture of Jaenominas drosophilae to investigate the genetic basis of fly susceptibility to trypanosomatid infection using genomics and transcriptomics methods.
How do trypanosomatids evade insect host immunity?
Some trypanosnomatids cause diseases of medical and veterinary importance, and the mechanisms by which they evade the vertebrate immune response are extremely well-studied. In fact, many trypanosomatids strictly parasitise insects and are a common pathogen of Drosophila in nature.
Taking advantage of newly sequenced PacBio genome of J. drosophilae, I use transcriptomics to quantify changes in parasite gene expression during its establishment in the host.
Identification of parasite gene expression changes during infection in the D. melanogaster gut will allow the pinpointing pathways and candidate genes involved in parasite evasion of the host immune response, which in turn will enable further functional validation in the J. drosophilae-Drosophila model (e.g. with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing).
Diversity of trypanosomatids in nature.
Trypanosomatids are both diverse and virulent, and infect a correspondingly diverse array of animals and plants. Despite how widespread trypanosomatid parasites are in insects, we have a very little knowledge of their basic biology, ecology and distribution, such as the typical host range of trypanosomatid species. My preliminary screening of a variety of Drosophila species collected in nature and kept as lab stocks show a surprisingly high diversity of trypanosomatids, with samples clustering with different known genera of trypanosomatid species.
Research grants
FlyTryp: Investigating susceptibility to trypanosomatid parasites using Drosophila melanogaster as a model
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
September 2021 - July 2025