Brazil Partnering Award: Imperial-Portsmouth-Vicosa A. pleuropneumoniae collaboration

Lead Research Organisation: Imperial College London
Department Name: Infectious Disease

Abstract

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Description Through this three way collaboration, we have comprehensively mapped the production of molecules called small RNAs in the pig pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. In addition, we have identified specific sRNAs that are important for virulence. APP mutants wherespecific small RNAs are not produced can no longer cause infection.
Exploitation Route We still anticipate further grant proposals in the area, but not until the papers are published as that will strengthen applications. Visits to Brazil are planned to finalise the papers, we have a comprehensive publication strategy in place with an estimated three papers to come. Ultimately, we hope that the results will lead to better vaccines and an understanding of bacterial pathogenesis.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink
 
Description sRNA University of Portsmouth 
Organisation University of Portsmouth
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The BPA is a collaboration between UoP, Imperial College London (ICL) and University of Vicosa (UoV) on sRNAs of the pig pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP). ICLs role has been the identification and characterisation of sRNAs through RNA-seq analyses, and virulence experiments of wild-type and mutants in the Galleria mellonella wax moth model.
Collaborator Contribution UoP have pioneered patented array technology that allows identification of sRNA-mRNA targets at the molecular level UoV are experts on APP, bioinformatic analyses or sRNA, and identification and characterisation of sRNAs in outer membrane vesicles of Gram - negative bacteria.
Impact Multi-disciplinary. ICL and UoV are primarily microbiologists with expertise in APP, UoP are biophysicists, UoV have expertise in sRNA bioinformatics and outer membrane vesicles of Gram negative bacteria. The first visit on the BPA was Febr 2020 where a joint programme of work and publication strategy have been agreed. A PhD student from UoV will be spending 9 months at UoP and 3 months at ICL to enable this programme of work to be completed.
Start Year 2020
 
Description sRNA University of Vicosa 
Organisation Federal University of Viçosa
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The BPA is a collaboration between UoP, Imperial College London (ICL) and University of Vicosa (UoV) on sRNAs of the pig pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP). ICLs role has been the identification and characterisation of sRNAs through RNA-seq analyses, and virulence experiments of wild-type and mutants in the Galleria mellonella wax moth model.
Collaborator Contribution UoV are experts on APP, bioinformatic analyses or sRNA, and identification and characterisation of sRNAs in outer membrane vesicles of Gram - negative bacteria. UoP have pioneered patented array technology that allows identification of sRNA-mRNA targets at the molecular level
Impact Multi-disciplinary. ICL and UoV are primarily microbiologists with expertise in APP, UoP are biophysicists, UoV have expertise in sRNA bioinformatics and outer membrane vesicles of Gram negative bacteria. The first visit on the BPA was Feb 2020 where a joint programme of work and publication strategy have been agreed. A PhD student from UoV will be spending 9 months at UoP and 3 months at ICL to enable this programme of work to be completed.
Start Year 2020