Initiation and maintenance of vector arthropod colonies, elucidation of vector-virus interactions and the inheritance of competence and refractoriness
Lead Research Organisation:
The Pirbright Institute
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Unique colonies of several species of arthropod vectors are already maintained, with facilities available to expand into new arthropod groups or species as appropriate scientific opportunities arise. The current Culicoides colonies are vectors of important notifiable viruses including bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus. The tick colonies are vectors of African swine fever virus. These resources enable the continuous provision of large numbers of individual vectors of known physiological state, thereby facilitating year-round research on the infection, replication and transmission of the study viruses by the vectors, and all aspects of virus-vector interactions. Also, the production by selective breeding of daughter colonies of individual vector species, each with a defined rate of oral susceptibility and transmission, and the sequencing of the genomes of individuals from such colonies, will provide unrivalled tools to investigate the inheritance and the genetic basis of susceptibility and refractoriness. These unique resources provide outstanding opportunities to promote multidisciplinary investigations (molecular, entomological, virological, genetic, modelling) and collaborations (both within and beyond IAH), and also facilitate training of colleagues at a range of levels from student to post-doctoral fellow.
People |
ORCID iD |
Simon Thomas Carpenter (Principal Investigator) |
Publications


Baker T
(2015)
Can insecticide-treated netting provide protection for Equids from Culicoides biting midges in the United Kingdom?
in Parasites & vectors

Baylis M
(2010)
Evaluation of housing as a means to protect cattle from Culicoides biting midges, the vectors of bluetongue virus.
in Medical and veterinary entomology

Carpenter S
(2009)
Culicoides and the emergence of bluetongue virus in northern Europe.
in Trends in microbiology

Carpenter S
(2009)
Communication of bluetongue mitigation techniques.
in The Veterinary record

Carpenter S
(2011)
Culicoides and the spread of bluetongue: finding the needle in the haystack.
in The Veterinary record

Carpenter S
(2011)
Temperature dependence of the extrinsic incubation period of orbiviruses in Culicoides biting midges.
in PloS one

Darpel KE
(2016)
Using shared needles for subcutaneous inoculation can transmit bluetongue virus mechanically between ruminant hosts.
in Scientific reports

Darpel KE
(2011)
Saliva proteins of vector Culicoides modify structure and infectivity of bluetongue virus particles.
in PloS one
Description | The grant has enabled a wide range of studies to be conducted on insecticidal efficacy of products for Culicoides biting midges. In addition, the replication of arboviruses such as BTV has been characterized and translated to policy tools. Culicoides have also been used in experimental studies to infect animals with a variety of pathogens as part of vaccine trials and studies of pathogenesis. |
Exploitation Route | Findings are being integrated into a wide range of outputs by both internal and external users (see publications). |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Description | This is a service grant to supply arthropods (primarily Culicoides biting midges) to workers within the Pirbright Institute and also to external partners for a variety of projects. During the course of the project several hundred thousand midges were supplied of two species: C. sonorensis and C. nubeculosus. The former were used in areas as diverse as virus infection studies and saliva collection while the latter were largely used for insecticide testing. |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | European Biosecurity Talk, Ghent. Arthropod containment 15th May 2014. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Formal presentation about arthropod security measures. Follow up with advice given to other institutes and HSE. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | International Congress of Entomology (Florida) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Chaired session and gave presentation on progress in Culicoides research. Largest ever meeting involving the Culicoides community with 100+ attendees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://ice2016orlando.org/ |