An integrated approach to tackling drug resistance in livestock trypanosomes.

Lead Research Organisation: University of Glasgow
Department Name: College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci

Abstract

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Technical Summary

African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT), caused by tsetse-transmitted Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax, is a major constraint on sub-Saharan African agriculture and food security. Control relies on the use of two main drugs, Isometamidium chloride (ISM - prophylactic) and Diminazene aceturate (DZ - therapeutic), both introduced over 50 years ago. ISM treatment failure is increasing across Africa, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of future AAT control. There is one therapeutic class currently in development, the benzoxaboroles (GALVmed/Boehringer Ingelheim; Galvmed are industrial partners on this proposal). Despite the reliance on these drugs in AAT, the understanding of drug failures, resistance mechanisms and epidemiology are poor, making it difficult to develop evidence-based mitigation strategies. This multidisciplinary project will use field, laboratory and modelling studies to test the overarching hypothesis that management of animal and human trypanosomiasis is threatened by an emerging failure of ISM to provide adequate treatment and prophylaxis. ISM resistance mechanisms and markers will be investigated through comparative biochemical, molecular and genomic analyses of resistant and susceptible Trypanosoma congolense, whilst relative fitness in hosts and vectors will be assessed. Field data will be collected to quantify trypanocide usage and effectiveness, assess resistance, isolate resistant T. congolense and measure epidemiological parameters. Resistance and spread will be investigated in silico with an AAT resistance model parameterised with field and experimental data on epidemiology and transmission of resistant and susceptible T. congolense. Finally, these findings will be extended to explore resistance in the benzoxaboroles. This is an opportunity for a step change in understanding AAT resistance, and will lead to development of strategies to maximise the useful lifetime of ISM, as well as new trypanocides such as the benzoxaboroles.

Planned Impact

This project will fill important knowledge gaps that are currently limiting the development of sustainable control strategies for animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT). Elucidating the mechanisms of T. congolense resistance to isometamidium chloride (ISM), identifying a marker for diagnosis, and crucially better understanding the emergence and spread of resistance, as proposed in this study, are essential steps towards effective and sustainable control, including optimal use of novel drugs. We anticipate this project will enable and contribute to wider discussions on sustainable use of drugs in AAT control and help to drive this as a priority. Hence, the economic and societal impacts from this work include:

(1) Impact on disease control policies for sustainable use of trypanocides, leading to impacts on livestock farming in developing countries through reducing detrimental effects of resistance emergence.
Ultimate beneficiaries of the project are subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, who are finding that current AAT treatments are no longer working, threatening their livelihoods and food security. Approximately 50 million cattle, plus millions of other livestock, are at risk of AAT in tsetse-infected across an area of ~10M km2. AAT impacts include reduced milk yields, meat production, fertility, and draught power as well as mortality, and are estimated to cost billions (US$) to the region annually - estimated at $2.5 billion to Eastern Africa alone. The disease severely impacts sub-Saharan regions where livestock rearing is the main livelihood of small communities, including many countries on the DAC list of least developed countries. Tanzania has the third largest livestock population in Africa, and a high proportion of poor livestock keepers, with >4 million cattle threatened by trypanosomiasis.
Livestock keepers currently use 35-70 million doses of trypanocides annually. Two primary options exist for treatment of AAT: Isometamidium chloride and Diminazene aceturate . Both drugs are >50 years old and reported resistance to them is widespread. Outputs from this project will provide local (veterinary services), national (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries), global (AU-PATTEC, FAO) and donor (GALVmed, DFID, BMGF) organisations with evidence to back up decision-making on sustainable use of drugs in AAT control. This project was co-constructed with local veterinary services and livestock keepers in Serengeti District, and national decision-makers in Tanzania, who have identified effective and sustainable trypanocide use as a particular concern. The same trypanocide drugs used for AAT are also used to reduce T. brucei circulation in cattle, which can be reservoirs for human African trypanosomiasis. Sustainable use of these drugs therefore has added benefits in prevention of human disease.

(2) Impact upon academic and industry AAT drug discovery and development programmes.
We know very little about how resistance emerges and spreads in livestock trypanosomes. This project will significantly advance this knowledge, both in terms of characterising mechanisms and rate of resistance emergence to ISM, and furthering our very scanty knowledge of the epidemiology of resistance in the field. The development of a mathematical model, that is developed and based on reliable data, will both inform on the dynamics of resistance and spread of ISM, and importantly be applicable to predicting resistance emergence and spread for novel trypanocides (such as the candidate compound currently under development by project partners GALVmed) - this output is a critical gap in knowledge and capability at present, which would be able to inform strategies to minimise resistance emergence and spread, and maximise the lifetime of both ISM and novel trypanocides. The applicants have links with relevant academic, industrial and policy stakeholders to enable dissemination and uptake of results in order to translate impact to farmers.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description So far we have demonstrated that a gene, the drug and metabolite gene, when over-expressed makes Trypanosoma congolense hypersensitive to isometamidium indicating that loss of this gene might be responsible for resistance. We have also shown that loss of CBP1 serine carboxypeptidase genes that encode an enzyme that activates benzoxaborole pro-drugs causes reisstance to these drugs. Furthermore, other resistant lines show that the drug's targeted CPSF3 over-expression can also cause resistance.

We have also developed a method that allows for the detection of counterfeit versions of the key trypanocidal drugs diminazene and isometamidium with a simple, portable device.

In 2022 numerous drug samples were collected from markets in Tanzania and their quality checked using the new device, which has been refined to make quantitative measures of diminazene and isometamidium. Over 100 samples were tested, and also checked by mass spectrometry. No fake drugs were found

Modelling progress: We have developed models of the transmission of trypanosomiasis among populations of cattle and wildlife. The models capture cattle treatment with trypanocides (both prophylactic and on diagnosis) as well insecticide treatment of a proportion of cattle. The models allow the spread of multiple strains to capture the dynamics of drug susceptible and drug resistant strain. The models capture the fitness impacts of resistance and the quantify the risks of emergence of resistance in response to a range of combinations of treatment and insecticide usage options. Currently we are exploring optimal strategies for effective treatment whilst limiting the risk of emergence. The model has been made available at Github and at a meeting on African animal trypanosomiasis in Tanzania in Feb 2023, its utility was tested against a variety of studies emanating from different parts of Africa.
Exploitation Route Boerhinger Ingelheim and other pharmaceutical companies that are developing benzoxaborole drugs and can take resistance development into consideration. Others involved in cattle farming in Africa can also consider diagnostic tests for resistance to trypanocidal drugs. The electrochemical device developed in conjunction with Eluceda, subject to further development, may enable animal health professionals to ascertain the quality of trypanocidal drugs on the market across regions where these drugs are used.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

 
Description Finding genes responsible for drug resistant in veterinary trypanosomiasis leads the way towards developing tests for resistance. Publication of a significant article (doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008932) that demonstrates the selection of resistance to new benzoxaborole trypanocides and the genes involved offers new routes to testing for the emergence and spread of resistance. Other partners with separate related Researchfish returns (Liam Morrison and Harriet Authy) have also generated key datasets reported in their own sections. Modelling progress: We have developed models of the transmission of trypanosomiasis among populations of cattle and wildlife. The models capture cattle treatment with trypanocides (both prophylactic and on diagnosis) as well insecticide treatment of a proportion of cattle. The models allow the spread of multiple strains to capture the dynamics of drug susceptible and drug resistant strain. The models capture the fitness impacts of resistance and the quantify the risks of emergence of resistance in response to a range of combinations of treatment and insecticide usage options. Currently we are exploring optimal strategies for effective treatment whilst limiting the risk of emergence. Our development in conjuncition with Eluceda of novel devices to detect and validate the quality of trypanocidal drugs we hope, will enable widespread assessment of the problem of counterfeit and substandard drug formulations in Africa
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology
Impact Types Economic

Policy & public services

 
Description Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative advisory board for use of fexinidazole in Rhodesiense HAT
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
Impact The clinical trials being conducted by DNDi for use of fexinidazole in Rhodesiense HAT are already impacting on populations in Malawi and Uganda. Increased surveillance for the disease to include patients in trials is already increasing the numbers of infected people diagnosed. The drug is proving safe and effective and thus already curing in the clinical trials and it is to be hoped that upon licensing a new safe oral drug to cure the disease (replacing the very toxin melarsoprol) will improve treatment options
URL https://dndi.org/research-development/portfolio/fexinidazole-tb-rhodesiense/
 
Description Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) - Advisory committee on rolling out a Progressive Control Pathway for Animal African trypanosomiasis
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
Impact Working towards a progressive control pathway for animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) brings with it improvements to the welfare and health of livestock animals (primarily cattle) in Africa
URL http://www.fao.org/3/i7587e/i7587e.pdf
 
Description Membership of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) Scientific Advisory Committee
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact I provide advice on programmes in drug discovery against Neglected Tropical Diseases for DNDi, the world's leading organisation in drug development for diseases of the world's poorest people
URL https://dndi.org/our-people/mike-barrett/
 
Description Sceintific Advisory Board - Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative 2023
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative is developing new drugs for diseases afflicting the World's poorest people. In 2023 the drug fexinidazole received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in Rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis. I Chaired the advisory board following the clinical trials that ultimately succeeded in receiving the EMA positive opinion. I also advise on their other programmes in leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis (African and American)
URL https://dndi.org/our-people/our-governance/
 
Description Workshop on Animal African trypanosomiasis in Arusha Tanzania
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL https://www.fao.org/paat/news-and-events/news/detail-events/en/c/1620473/
 
Description A portable device to detect counterfeit anti-parasitic drugs
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2023 
End 01/2025
 
Description Metabolism and drug resistance probed with new genetic tools in the neglected animal pathogen Trypanosoma vivax
Amount £351,337 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/W000431/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 02/2025
 
Description Repurposing trypanocidal drugs to tackle amoebic gill disease in Atlantic Salmon
Amount £555,163 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/T016280/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2021 
End 02/2024
 
Title A model of emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance in African animal trypanosomiasis 
Description This model has been constructed as part of the ongoing, multi-institutional project entitled Combatting African Animal Trypanosomiasis (COMBAAT). The key aims of the model are to understand the means by which antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerges in response to treatment and prophylaxis, how this spreads throughout the population, and what role wildlife play in the maintinence or loss of this AMR. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The model enables farmers, vets and policy makers to consider the best approach to the control of animal African trypanosomiasis in given scenarios in the context of risks of drug resistance emerging. 
URL https://github.com/shaunkeegan/AAT_AMR_main
 
Title Metabolomics dataset - Novel Minor Groove Binders cure animal African trypanosomiasis in an in vivo mouse model 
Description Metabolomics dataset at Metabolights 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Indication of drug mode of action 
URL https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/MTBLS464
 
Description Eluceda new devices to detect counterfeit trypanocidal drugs 
Organisation Eluceda Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution This collaboration aims to develop new electronic devices to distinguish real and counterfeit trypanocidal drugs. Since berenil (diminazene) and isometamidium carry positive charges they can be detected electrochemically using Eluceda's detection devices. We have been providing drug to optimise conditions and also blinded samples, and field samples, to determine efficacy of the device.
Collaborator Contribution Eluceda has established conditions that are capable of the quantitative detection of trypanocidal drugs berenil (diminazene) and isometamidium. They have developed the tests and confirmed their utility using samples we have provided.
Impact Multidisciplinary, multisectorial. Eluceda is a private company. A prototypical device capable of quantitative detection of berenil (diminazene) and isometamidium has been created.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) 
Organisation Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)
Country Italy 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Dr Federica Giordani, PDRA on our BBSRC grant (T. vivax) has been leading the writing of guidelines for the FAO on the treatment of the animal trypanosomoses. I have contributed a chapter on drug development to those guidelines. We are also contributing to the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP) for management and control of the animal trypanosomoses lead by FAO.
Collaborator Contribution Dr Giuliano Cecchi at FAO is directing the production of treatment guidelines and has been actively engaged with Dr Giordani in their production.
Impact Guidelines under preparation
Start Year 2022
 
Description GalvMed Boerhinger Ingelheim development of benzoxaboroles for animal African trypanosomiasis 
Organisation Boehringer Ingelheim
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have continued working on mode of action and resistance mechanisms of the benzoxaboroles considered for clinical veterinary development by BI.
Collaborator Contribution We identified a serine carboxypeptidase involved in activating prodrugs in T. brucei and T. congolense. The compounds target the CPSF3 protein. Resistance emerges either when the peptidase genes are lost, or else when the target (CPSF3) gene copy number is increased.
Impact Drug under development.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Glasgow Roslin institute collaboration 
Organisation University of Edinburgh
Department The Roslin Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have a strong collaboration with Roslin generating new culture media and selecting lines of parasite resistant to drugs in vitro. We are selecting lines in mice. We perform metabolomics analysis for the Roslin group. We are also (Professor Louise Matthews) generating mathematical models of disease. THe project also involves Dr Harriet Auty collecting filed isolates from Tanzania. We will assess these for genotype and drug resistance
Collaborator Contribution Roslin institute have created drug resistant lines and sent cellular extracts and medium for metabolome analysis
Impact Isometamidium resistant T. congolense selected in vitro and genome sequenced Isometamidium resistant T. congolense selected in vivo Benzoxaborole AN11736 resistant T. congolense selected in vitro. Drug resistance gene (TcoCBP1) discovered. Also for T. brucei Other Benzoxaborole resistant lines selected.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Hariet Authy & Shauna Richards 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We provide support in helping identify and diagnose trypanosomes in the field. Also in assessing quality of drugs brought back from the field and input into likely resistance risk and mechanisms to various drugs
Collaborator Contribution Hariet and Shauna work in Tanzania. They are collecting drug samples for us to test authenticity. They are collecting data on prevalence and species of trypanosome causing disease in Africa, as well as information on drug treatment which will go into building models of epidemiology of disease.
Impact Hariet and Shuana have brought numerous samples of isometamidium and diminazene back to the UK from Tanzania and these will be tested for authenticty using LCMS and also used to evaluate the Eluceda device
Start Year 2019
 
Description Article about penicillin's first patient in the New Statesman magazine 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article outlining the story of penicillin's first patient, the visit of his daughter to his grave and the coming crisis in antibiotics due to AMR
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2023/06/albert-alexander-legacy-penicillin-first-patien...
 
Description International Workshop on Animal African trypanosomiasis in Arusha, Tanzania 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact We organised a three day meeting in Arusha Tanzania including scientists, veterinarians, funders and politicians plus representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in order to update on the global situation regarding animal African trypanosomiasis and through a series of workshops formulate international policy on implementation of control measures. 120 participants gathered.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.fao.org/paat/news-and-events/news/detail-events/en/c/1620473/
 
Description Lecture on the Scottish Encounter with Tropical Disease to the University of the Third age in Helensburgh 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I gave a lecture outlining the role of Scottish investigators in discovering the agents of tropical diseases and was able to link to the current status of tropical infectious diseases in the world today related to important Scottish research in a global context.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Lecture to the Helensburgh University of the Third age on the Coronavirus pandemic 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I gave an overview of the coronavirus pandemic to the University of the third age in Helensburgh
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Magazine article - About vaccination 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact THis article discussed the problems of vaccine scepticism
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2018/05/how-fake-science-costing-lives-malign-rise-anti...
 
Description Magazine article about new variants of the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The New Statesman is a UK based weekly political and current affiars magazine with 36,000 subscribers and over 200,000 online subscribers. It is read by most UK politicians.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2021/01/truth-about-new-covid-19-variants
 
Description Magazine article about the spread of coronavirus 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This article discussed the role of superpreaders in disease transmission. It is published in a major national magazine with international outreach
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2020/02/coronavirus-and-role-super-spreader
 
Description Magazine article about the success of new interventions against neglected tropical diseases 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact THis magaaine article summarised the successes the 21st Century has had in developing new interventions against neglected tropical diseases
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/world/africa/2019/08/how-world-winning-fight-against-neglected-tropical...
 
Description Magazine article discussing the discovery of antibiotics and ethics of drug testing 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article in high standing UK current affairs weekly magazine, sparked further media interest afterwards and great interest from among the magazines 36,000 subscribers (>200,000 online subscribers)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/international/science-tech/2020/09/lesson-antibiotics-race-science-must...
 
Description Magazine article on coronavirus and human evolution 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This article in the New statesamn discused viral and human genetic evolution in light of the competition between host and pathogen in the context of the covid-19 causing coronavirus
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/coronavirus/2020/03/what-makes-us-vulnerable-covid-19
 
Description Magazine article on coronavirus immunity 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article in high standing UK current affairs weekly magazine, sparked further media interest afterwards and great interest from among the magazines 36,000 subscribers (>200,000 online subscribers)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/coronavirus/2020/04/can-you-catch-covid-19-twice
 
Description Magazine article on the 200th anniversary of the death of poet John Keats from tuberculosis and its link to Covid19 today 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The New Statesman is a UK based weekly current affairs and political magazine. It has 36,000 subscribers and over 200,000 on line readers. It is read by most UK politicians.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2021/02/why-keats-s-haunting-reflections-tuberculosis-res...
 
Description Magazine article on the UK "Kent" coronavirus variant 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The New Statesman is a leading UK based, but internationally read weekly current affairs magazine read by most UK politicians. It has a subscriber based of 36,000 plus online subscription based of >200,000 readers
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/coronavirus/2020/12/how-dangerous-new-covid-19-variant
 
Description Magazine article on the flawed concept of herd immunity for Covid19 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article in high standing UK current affairs weekly magazine, sparked further media interest afterwards and great interest from among the magazines 36,000 subscribers (>200,000 online subscribers)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2020/10/why-herd-immunity-not-option-uk-it-faces-covid-...
 
Description Newspaper article and interview on penicillin's first patient 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed by the Herald newspaper, along with the daughter of penicillin's first patient, outlining the story of penicillin, the tragedy of the loss of its first patient, the boom in antimicrobials and looming crisis in antimicrobial resistance
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23592325.story-penicillin-told-world-congress-pharmacology/
 
Description Penicillin's first patient's daughter's visit to her father's grave 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact As part of the visit to the UK I arranged for Sheila LeBlanc, the daughter of penicillin's first patient, we were interviewed by BBC news at the grave yard in Newbury, Berkshire where Constable Albert Alexander is buried. The interview was part of a news feature covering the story of Constable Alexander, his treatment with penicillin and the ensuing revolution in antimicrobial therapy that followed the discovery.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Public understanding of science lecture. The impact of Covid 19 on Neglected tropical diseases. St. Andrews Clinics for children (by Zoom) 25th Jan 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact In this talk I discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Africa and how it influences efforts aginst other diseases there, e.g. neglected tropical diseases. Fruitful discussion was had with members of the public that support a charity that funds chilldrens hospitals in Africa
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description SCOTLAND - RHEINLAND-PFALZ LIFE SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Conference aiming to bring researchers in the Life Sciences in Scotlnd and the Rhineland closer together to explore collaborative opportunities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://sulsa.ac.uk/first-scottish-rheinland-pfalz-life-sciences-and-biotechnology-conference/
 
Description School visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 55 pupils attended lecture on "One World - one health" a global perspective on the interface betwen disease of man, animals and the impact of the environment
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Talk on penicillin's first patient at the World Congress of Pharmacology 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I organised a scientific session on the antibiotic resistance crisis at the World congress of Pharmacology. As part of the symposium a pubic engagement lecture was included at which I gave an outline on the history of penicillin and the fate of its first patient.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://wcp2023.org/events/antibiotics-solving-the-crisis/
 
Description Talk to Edinburgh University Veterinary students (UG and PG) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact The Edinburgh University "One Health" socieity invivted me to speak on "One world, one health" giving the global context to the interface between human, animal and environmental health
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Talk to Wootton village history society 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact As part of the visit, I arranged, of the daughter of penicillin's first patient to the UK I spoke on the history of penicillin to the Wootton history society. Wootton is the village from which Albert Alexander, the policeman first treated with penicillin came.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/health/2023/06/albert-alexander-legacy-penicillin-first-patien...
 
Description Talk to school. "The next pandemic" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact A talk to sixth formers at the High School of Glasgow on the persistent threat of infectious diseases, contextualised around the Covid19 pandemic
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Talk to student socieity of "One Health" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact I spoke at the national student "One Health" symposium comprising around 100 veterinary students (and staff). The topic covered the interface between veterinary and human health in the context of environmental conditions. Lots of discussion and follow up from students developing interest in the area ensued.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.facebook.com/events/university-of-glasgow-school-of-veterinary-medicine/3rd-annual-stude...
 
Description Times Radio interview on the meeting between Dr Livingstone and Henry Stanley in 10 Nov 1871 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed by Times radio about the legacy of Dr Livingstone in medicine and exploration
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio
 
Description Times radio interview on the 200th anniversary of the death of John Keats and his descriptions of tuberculosis (23 Feb 2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed about the impact of John Keats (poet) and how the tuberculosis from which he died influenced his work, and also explained how TB continues to affect the world today
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio
 
Description Webinar - to New Statesman magazine readers 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A webinar hosted by the New Statesman alongside Dr Phil Whitaker and Laura Spinney discussing the Covid19 pandemic
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.newstatesman.com/2020/05/watch-new-statesman-webinar-pandemics-past-present-and-future
 
Description Webinar for business 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact I gave a series of five webinars in 2020 to Investec plc discussing the science behind the coronavirus pandemic
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.investec.com/en_gb/focus/economy/economic-webinar-replay-professor-michael-barrett.html