Tackling Emerging Co-Infections
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Humans are continuously exposed to multiple pathogens yet, with the exception of a few well defined coinfection scenarios (HIV and tuberculosis for example), relatively little is known about the impact of co-infections on morbidity and mortality. There is growing evidence indicating that co-infections are common, exacerbate disease severity and can considerably worsen outcome (Influenza or COVID-19 associated Aspergillus infection for example). Co-infections with drug-resistant pathogens have shown to add another layer of complexity with high case-fatality rates. Our aim is to integrate and exploit the expertise of four Centres that are tackling the major pathogen groups [viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites] to promote UK-wide research on the pathophysiological impact and mechanistic basis of disease in co-infections.
Technical Summary
Humans are continuously exposed to multiple pathogens yet, with the exception of a few well defined coinfection scenarios (HIV and tuberculosis for example), relatively little is known about the impact of co-infections on morbidity and mortality. There is growing evidence indicating that co-infections are common, exacerbate disease severity and can considerably worsen outcome (Influenza or COVID-19 associated Aspergillus infection for example). Co-infections with drug-resistant pathogens have shown to add another layer of complexity with high case-fatality rates. Our aim is to integrate and exploit the expertise of four Centres that are tackling the major pathogen groups [viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites] to promote UK-wide research on the pathophysiological impact and mechanistic basis of disease in co-infections.
Organisations
- UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (Lead Research Organisation)
- UZ Leuven, Belgium (Collaboration)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW (Collaboration)
- UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- University of Cape Town (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Gordon Brown (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Perona-Wright G
(2022)
Lessons from helminths: what worms have taught us about mucosal immunology.
in Mucosal immunology
| Description | Dectin-1-mediated suppression of protective anti-mycobacterial immunity |
| Amount | £607,922 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/W025779/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 08/2025 |
| Description | MRC CMM Doctoral Training Programme Grant |
| Amount | £1,485,419 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/W502649/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2021 |
| End | 06/2026 |
| Description | NC3Rs project grant |
| Amount | £700,851 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NC/X000362/1 |
| Organisation | National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 01/2026 |
| Description | Tackling Emerging Co-Infections |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MC_PC_21021 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Theresa Wacker, Hugh Gifford and Jamie Harrison: Co-founding of the UoE Bioinformatics Network (bioinform@exe) |
| Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 01/2024 |
| Description | Collaboration Aran Singanayagam (Project Lead, CMBI, Imperial College London) - Rhys Farrer & Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Aran Singanayagam (Project Lead, CMBI, Imperial College London) - Rhys Farrer & Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter), within the Co-Infections network project: Airway mycobiota regulation of viral exacerbation pathogenesis in asthma |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project 'Airway mycobiota regulation of viral exacerbation pathogenesis in asthma' |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Aran Singanayagam (Project Lead, CMBI, Imperial College London) - Rhys Farrer & Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Aran Singanayagam (Project Lead, CMBI, Imperial College London) - Rhys Farrer & Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter), within the Co-Infections network project: Airway mycobiota regulation of viral exacerbation pathogenesis in asthma |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project 'Airway mycobiota regulation of viral exacerbation pathogenesis in asthma' |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency) |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency), on the MRC Co-infections Network project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency) |
| Organisation | UK Health Security Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency), on the MRC Co-infections Network project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency), on the MRC Co-infections Network project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency) |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Elaine Bignell (Project Lead, CMM, University of Exeter) - Massimo Palmarini & Vanessa Herder (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) - Darius Armstrong-James (CMBI, Imperial College London) - Simon Funnell (UK Health Security Agency), on the MRC Co-infections Network project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project: 'Comparative analysis of post-viral fungal pneumonia in influenza and SARS-Cov2 infected rodents' |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Georgia Perona-Wright (Project Lead, WCIP, University of Glasgow) - Suzannah Rihn (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Simon Babayan (Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (BAHCM), University of Glasgow) |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Georgia Perona-Wright (Project Lead, WCIP, University of Glasgow) - Suzannah Rihn (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Simon Babayan (Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (BAHCM), University of Glasgow) within the MRC Co-Infections Network to work on the project 'The impact of metabolism on co-infection immunity'. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on the project 'The impact of metabolism on co-infection immunity' |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Sara Gago (Project Lead, University of Manchester) - Kieran Dee (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Sara Gago (Project Lead, University of Manchester) - Kieran Dee (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) within the MRC Co-Infections Network on the project: 'Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity'. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on teh project 'Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity'. |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Sara Gago (Project Lead, University of Manchester) - Kieran Dee (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Sara Gago (Project Lead, University of Manchester) - Kieran Dee (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) within the MRC Co-Infections Network on the project: 'Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity'. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on teh project 'Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity'. |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration Sara Gago (Project Lead, University of Manchester) - Kieran Dee (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration Sara Gago (Project Lead, University of Manchester) - Kieran Dee (CVR, University of Glasgow) - Peter Cook (CMM, University of Exeter) within the MRC Co-Infections Network on the project: 'Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity'. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work on teh project 'Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity'. |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Claire Hoving University of Cape town |
| Organisation | University of Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Hoving Team are CO-I on the grant |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hoving Team are CO-I on the grant |
| Impact | This collaboration led this the award |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Sara Gago: collaboration with Joost Wauters at UZ Leuven, Belgium |
| Organisation | UZ Leuven, Belgium |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Research work in the project: Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research work in the project: Identifying the impact of fungal exposure in no-influenza virus pathogenicity |
| Impact | Collaboration with Joost Wauters: In this Co-infections project by Gago et al. we aim to identify specific fungal factors contributing to RSV pathogenesis in at risk patients but we do not know whether those fungal factors might be important for pathogenesis during coinfection with Influenza virus. Dr Joost Wauters at UZ Leuven is developing a zebra fish model of Influenza-A. fumigatus coinfection and, if any A. fumigatus contributing to RSV pathogenesis are identified by the end of this project, we will explore the role of those fungal proteins in their current infection models and, apply for additional funding. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Appeared on BBC Radio (Paul Shuttleworth Radio Shropshire) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell appeared on BBC Radio (Paul Shuttleworth) to discuss fungal lung infections. //www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f08k1c (1:15:34) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f08k1 |
| Description | Gordon Brown and MRC Centre: UK Fungus Day Open doors event at the MRC CMM and University of Exeter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On the 8th October 2022, the MRC CMM celebrated UK Fungus Day by opening its doors to the general public and families who wanted to come and see Labs, learn more about fungi and our research and participated in a series of games and activities aiming at all ages and that helped educate the public on the research conducted at the Centre. Over 150 visitors came on the day with a very positive feedback received during/after the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/medicalmycology/news/articles/ukfungusday2022-thecmmcel.html |
| Description | Invited Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited Lecture ay WWIEM Queens University Belfast |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Invited Seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | BSI Greater Manchester Immunology Group's Seminar Series |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | National Workshop on Co-infections - 28 March 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This MRC-funded workshop on co-infections aimed to identify the challenges, scientific priorities and opportunities for research going forward. Following this workshop there was a national call for projects, which provided seed-corn funding to facilitate new research collaborations between our Research Centres and the UK-wide community in the area of co-infections. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/medicalmycology/co-infections/ |
| Description | Orlando Ross: poster presentation at Mathematics in Life Sciences meeting, March 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | MRC CMM student Orlando Ross delivered a poster presentation at the Mathematics in Life Sciences meeting, March 2023, Exeter, with the titled 'Growing Together: Fungal-bacterial biofilms'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Rhys Farrer: poster presentation at 21st Fungal Genetics Conference in California |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | MRC CMM member Rhys Farrer presented a poster at the 21st Fungal Genetics Conference in California |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | SKY News online interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell gave an interview for SKY News: The Last Of Us: The science behind the real 'zombie' fungus - and is it an actual threat? | Science & Tech News | Sky News |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://news.sky.com/story/the-last-of-us-the-science-behind-the-real-zombie-fungus-and-is-it-an-act... |
| Description | Session Chair |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gordon Research Conference on the Immunology of Fungal Infections. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.grc.org/immunology-of-fungal-infections-conference/2023/ |
| Description | The Evening Standard (A Podcast) Tech & Science Daily podcast: The Last of Us secrets revealed |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Elaine Bignell recorded a podcast for the Evening Standard discussing the Last of Us. The Evening Standard (A Podcast) Tech & Science Daily podcast: The Last of Us secrets revealed | Evening Standard |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/the-last-of-us-secrets-revealed-b1059439.html |