Integrative Entomology
Lead Research Organisation:
THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Insects, ticks are capable of posing significant threats to livestock, public health and wildlife both through direct impact and via the pathogens they transmit. However, the involvement of arthropods (insects or ticks) in transmission may also mean additional opportunities for management and control. In this project, we will study two main areas: vector ecology and vector-virus interactions.
For the first area of research, we will develop mechanistic models to improve our understanding of the dynamics of insect populations. During the development of these models we will work closely with industrial and policymaker groups to maximise the potential uses of the models we develop, for example in optimising control strategies or assessing the possible consequences of GM insect release.
For the second area, we will develop models of transmission processes including within-vector viral dissemination, fitting these models to real data generated via artificial infection and transmission studies. These will complement other research areas at Pirbright and elsewhere to locate, understand and exploit within-vector barriers to viral dissemination, as well as understanding patterns of infection in wild insect populations. This area of research will also include studies of atypical arthropod transmission processes, such as mechanical transmission by insects, and the effects of factors such as larval stress and coinfection on competence, and will draw upon a range of technologies including the production of tailored reporter viruses using reverse genetics and the use of advanced bioimaging technologies.
For both areas of work, we will also develop or adapt appropriate statistical methodologies for model fitting, in collaboration with the Mathematical Biology group at Pirbright
For the first area of research, we will develop mechanistic models to improve our understanding of the dynamics of insect populations. During the development of these models we will work closely with industrial and policymaker groups to maximise the potential uses of the models we develop, for example in optimising control strategies or assessing the possible consequences of GM insect release.
For the second area, we will develop models of transmission processes including within-vector viral dissemination, fitting these models to real data generated via artificial infection and transmission studies. These will complement other research areas at Pirbright and elsewhere to locate, understand and exploit within-vector barriers to viral dissemination, as well as understanding patterns of infection in wild insect populations. This area of research will also include studies of atypical arthropod transmission processes, such as mechanical transmission by insects, and the effects of factors such as larval stress and coinfection on competence, and will draw upon a range of technologies including the production of tailored reporter viruses using reverse genetics and the use of advanced bioimaging technologies.
For both areas of work, we will also develop or adapt appropriate statistical methodologies for model fitting, in collaboration with the Mathematical Biology group at Pirbright
Planned Impact
unavailable
Publications
Antonovics J
(2017)
The evolution of transmission mode
in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Brugman VA
(2017)
Blood-feeding patterns of native mosquitoes and insights into their potential role as pathogen vectors in the Thames estuary region of the United Kingdom.
in Parasites & vectors
Cable J
(2017)
Global change, parasite transmission and disease control: lessons from ecology.
in Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences
Kohl A
(2016)
Advancing vector biology research: a community survey for future directions, research applications and infrastructure requirements.
in Pathogens and global health
McCallum H
(2017)
Breaking beta: deconstructing the parasite transmission function.
in Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences
Panjwani A
(2016)
What Is Stopping the Use of Genetically Modified Insects for Disease Control?
in PLoS pathogens
| Description | During this grant we developed techniques for studying within-insect viral dissemination and applied them to understand the interaction between Culicoides midges and bluetongue virus. We also developed better models for insect population spread and pathogen transmission. The data generated during this grant supported applications in a range of areas including further study of within-vector viral spread (leading to a studentship with the University of Surrey, to begin in autumn 2018) and series of activities to develop better understanding of how environment and life history affect the ability of insects to spread viruses (continued in the ISPG grant but also funded via the EU within Infravec2, and part of a larger series of workshops and engagement with the academic community funded by a further contribution from BBSRC). |
| Exploitation Route | The data generated during this grant supported applications in a range of areas including further study of within-vector viral spread (leading to a studentship with the University of Surrey, to begin in autumn 2018) and series of activities to develop better understanding of how environment and life history affect the ability of insects to spread viruses (continued in the ISPG grant but also funded via the EU within Infravec2, and part of a larger series of workshops and engagement with the academic community funded by a further contribution from BBSRC). Opportunities to participate in the latter will be advertised from May. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment Other |
| Description | Multiple engagement activities that have contributed to public understanding of science, entomology, vector-borne diseases and novel control strategies such as the use of genetically modified insects for disease control, via events such as GLive, schools visits and the Royal Entomological Society Insect Festival. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | Contribution to guidance document "Safe working with arthropods: Containment and control for work with uninfected, infected and transgenic animals in research" |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Contributed to a document providing the first detailed guidance by the relevant national professional body (ISTR, the Institute for Safety in Technology and Research) on compliance with HSE requirements for working with exotic, GM and infected arthropods. |
| URL | https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/2017/04/first-industry-guidance-safe-working-arthropods-and-gm-inse... |
| Description | Vectorbite workshop 2016 participation award |
| Amount | $360 (USD) |
| Funding ID | 1R01AI122284-01 |
| Organisation | National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | Mosquito Interest Group |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Organising and attending meetings of students, RAs, postdocs and PIs on mosquito biology and related techniques. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Organising and attending meetings of students, RAs, postdocs and PIs on mosquito biology and related techniques. |
| Impact | Exchange of practical techniques, for instance in tracking oviposition of individual mosquitoes. Brainstorming for projects and papers, resulting in a GCRF VBD network proposal (which passed the first review but was not funded in the second) and an informal collaboration (which was intended for submission to UK-Thai call in 2017 but Thai partner was not eligible). Exchanges of colony strains of insects planned this month. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Blogpost on Microbe Post, by the Microbiology Society (formerly the SGM) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Blogpost developed around doctoral student's presentation at the SGM/MicroSoc annual meeting in 2016. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://microbepost.org/2016/03/24/visualising-bluetongue-virus-in-midges/ |
| Description | Careers evening at Gordon's School in Surrey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I and other colleagues ran a stand advertising the Institute and explained scientific careers, pathways to employment in academia and opportunities for apprenticeships etc to school pupils and their parents. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Launch of first industry guidance on safe working with arthropods and GM insects |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Around 50 biosafety professionals and regulators including representatives from HSE attended the formal launch of the first industry guidance on working safely with arthropods and genetically modified insects on 21st April at Pirbright. This initiative originated with Sharon Webster, Chair of ISTR's Biosafety Steering Group, and was developed based on consultation with myself and members of my group with practical experience of working with arthropods in containment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/2017/04/first-industry-guidance-safe-working-arthropods-and-gm-inse... |
| Description | XVIII. International Congress of the International Society for Animal Hygiene (ISAH-2017) in Mazatlán, Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Delivered talk on research to audience consisting of hundreds of students at University of Sinaloa, Mazatlan, as well as members of the International Society for Animal Hygiene. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |