Mitochondrial biogenesis and function in trypanosomes
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are unicellular parasites that are as devastating in their consequences on health and economy as they are captivating as subjects of biological study. Our research is driven as much by the desire to alleviate the suffering caused by these parasites as by the fascination with the ways they have taken biological principles that underpin all life on earth, and twisted them into something bizarre and unique.
This project will study the mitochondrion in the sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The mitochondrion is a cell organelle that is often described as the 'power plant' of eukaryotic cells (complex cells from multicellular organisms like humans, or unicellular organisms like yeast or trypanosomes that are not bacteria) but we now know that they provide the cell with much more than energy. The trypanosome mitochondrion hosts two particularly bizarre phenomena: a structure called 'kinetoplast' and a process called 'RNA editing'. Mitochondria have their own genome; usually a fairly short, circular piece of DNA. In trypanosomes, however, thousands of circular DNAs form a gigantic network that has been likened to medieval chainmail: the kinetoplast. When a trypanosome divides it has to accomplish faithful duplication of its kinetoplast so that each daughter cell inherits the complete set of genes that is encoded in this genome. Like other mitochondrial genomes, the kinetoplast encodes important proteins that the cell needs to survive. To make these proteins (this is called 'gene expression'), the DNA has first to be transcribed into a messenger molecule, the mRNA. Trypanosomes are unique in that they remodel many of their mitochondrial mRNAs in a very elaborate process called RNA editing. We know from past research in our lab and other labs around the world that maintaining the kinetoplast and expressing its genes is critical for parasite survival. If we interfere with one of these processes, the parasite dies.
A main goal of our research is to understand exactly how the cell makes and duplicates its kinetoplast, how it expresses the kinetoplast's genes to make proteins, and what these proteins actually do. This is complicated by the fact that trypanosomes have a complex life cycle. They are transmitted by tsetse flies, and the trypanosome that thrives in the mammalian bloodstream (and makes the mammal sick) changes the purpose of its mitochondrion once it has been taken up by the fly.
We have three goals in this project. Our first goal is to identify as many of the proteins that are involved in maintaining and duplicating the kinetoplast, and in expressing its genes, as possible. We and others have identified some of these proteins, but we believe there are many more. Because these processes are so unique there is a good chance that some of these proteins will be unique as well, which makes them potentially very suitable targets for new drugs. These are much needed since current treatment involves drugs that are toxic and drug resistance is emerging in various parts of the world.
Our second goal is to understand which of the kinetoplast genes are needed by the parasite when it changes from the mammalian bloodstream form to the one that can survive in the midgut of the tsetse fly. This transformation involves a particular intermediate form, called 'stumpy' because of its peculiar morphology, and the mitochondrial activities in the stumpy form are very poorly understood.
Our third goal is to understand how many genes exactly are encoded in the kinetoplast. We know of the ones that encode proteins, but there are many more that are not used to make proteins. Instead, they make small RNA molecules called 'guide RNAs' that are required for the RNA editing process. If we really want to understand how kinetoplast gene expression works we need to know how many guide RNAs there are. And because of advances in DNA sequencing technology we can now for the first time determine this.
This project will study the mitochondrion in the sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The mitochondrion is a cell organelle that is often described as the 'power plant' of eukaryotic cells (complex cells from multicellular organisms like humans, or unicellular organisms like yeast or trypanosomes that are not bacteria) but we now know that they provide the cell with much more than energy. The trypanosome mitochondrion hosts two particularly bizarre phenomena: a structure called 'kinetoplast' and a process called 'RNA editing'. Mitochondria have their own genome; usually a fairly short, circular piece of DNA. In trypanosomes, however, thousands of circular DNAs form a gigantic network that has been likened to medieval chainmail: the kinetoplast. When a trypanosome divides it has to accomplish faithful duplication of its kinetoplast so that each daughter cell inherits the complete set of genes that is encoded in this genome. Like other mitochondrial genomes, the kinetoplast encodes important proteins that the cell needs to survive. To make these proteins (this is called 'gene expression'), the DNA has first to be transcribed into a messenger molecule, the mRNA. Trypanosomes are unique in that they remodel many of their mitochondrial mRNAs in a very elaborate process called RNA editing. We know from past research in our lab and other labs around the world that maintaining the kinetoplast and expressing its genes is critical for parasite survival. If we interfere with one of these processes, the parasite dies.
A main goal of our research is to understand exactly how the cell makes and duplicates its kinetoplast, how it expresses the kinetoplast's genes to make proteins, and what these proteins actually do. This is complicated by the fact that trypanosomes have a complex life cycle. They are transmitted by tsetse flies, and the trypanosome that thrives in the mammalian bloodstream (and makes the mammal sick) changes the purpose of its mitochondrion once it has been taken up by the fly.
We have three goals in this project. Our first goal is to identify as many of the proteins that are involved in maintaining and duplicating the kinetoplast, and in expressing its genes, as possible. We and others have identified some of these proteins, but we believe there are many more. Because these processes are so unique there is a good chance that some of these proteins will be unique as well, which makes them potentially very suitable targets for new drugs. These are much needed since current treatment involves drugs that are toxic and drug resistance is emerging in various parts of the world.
Our second goal is to understand which of the kinetoplast genes are needed by the parasite when it changes from the mammalian bloodstream form to the one that can survive in the midgut of the tsetse fly. This transformation involves a particular intermediate form, called 'stumpy' because of its peculiar morphology, and the mitochondrial activities in the stumpy form are very poorly understood.
Our third goal is to understand how many genes exactly are encoded in the kinetoplast. We know of the ones that encode proteins, but there are many more that are not used to make proteins. Instead, they make small RNA molecules called 'guide RNAs' that are required for the RNA editing process. If we really want to understand how kinetoplast gene expression works we need to know how many guide RNAs there are. And because of advances in DNA sequencing technology we can now for the first time determine this.
Technical Summary
Trypanosomatid parasites cause human and animal diseases with devastating health and economic consequences. Their survival crucially depends on mitochondrial (mt) function and expression of the organellar genome. Mitochondrial activity is highly regulated during the life cycle of the sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei.
Aim 1 uses an RNAi screen to identify genes that are important for mtDNA maintenance and expression in T. brucei. Some of these genes will be trypanosomatid-specific genes and potential drug targets. Characterisation of the corresponding proteins will involve localisation by light and electron microscopy and functional categorisation using a panel of assays that interrogate the various steps along the maintenance/expression pathway. Some proteins will be characterised further by pull-down of tagged versions and identification of interaction partners by mass spectroscopy.
Aim 2 identifies mtDNA-encoded functions required for differentiation from mammalian bloodstream stage to tsetse midgut stage, and dissects the mechanism of the compensatory ATPase mutation that permits bloodstream stage survival in the absence of mtDNA. Pleomorphic T. brucei parasites that lack mtDNA or key nuclearly encoded complex I subunits will be tested for their ability to differentiate in vitro and in mice and flies. The cause of any differentiation defects will be investigated by analysis of mt and cellular metabolism. The composition and function of wild type ATPase will be compared with that of mutated enzyme in the presence and absence of mtDNA-encoded subunits.
Aim 3 identifies the complete T. brucei mtDNA minicircle and guide RNA repertoire by deep sequencing. Guide RNAs and their target mRNAs will be verified by in vivo cross-linking and deep sequencing. The fidelity of minicircle distribution to daughter cells will be determined by measuring changes in complexity over time and feeding the data into a mathematical model.
Aim 1 uses an RNAi screen to identify genes that are important for mtDNA maintenance and expression in T. brucei. Some of these genes will be trypanosomatid-specific genes and potential drug targets. Characterisation of the corresponding proteins will involve localisation by light and electron microscopy and functional categorisation using a panel of assays that interrogate the various steps along the maintenance/expression pathway. Some proteins will be characterised further by pull-down of tagged versions and identification of interaction partners by mass spectroscopy.
Aim 2 identifies mtDNA-encoded functions required for differentiation from mammalian bloodstream stage to tsetse midgut stage, and dissects the mechanism of the compensatory ATPase mutation that permits bloodstream stage survival in the absence of mtDNA. Pleomorphic T. brucei parasites that lack mtDNA or key nuclearly encoded complex I subunits will be tested for their ability to differentiate in vitro and in mice and flies. The cause of any differentiation defects will be investigated by analysis of mt and cellular metabolism. The composition and function of wild type ATPase will be compared with that of mutated enzyme in the presence and absence of mtDNA-encoded subunits.
Aim 3 identifies the complete T. brucei mtDNA minicircle and guide RNA repertoire by deep sequencing. Guide RNAs and their target mRNAs will be verified by in vivo cross-linking and deep sequencing. The fidelity of minicircle distribution to daughter cells will be determined by measuring changes in complexity over time and feeding the data into a mathematical model.
Planned Impact
Academia.
In addition to direct benefits (see Academic Beneficiaries) the highly collaborative nature of this project will strengthen ties between labs and academic institutions on campus, within the UK (Edinburgh, Dundee, St Andrews, Cambridge, Glasgow), and between the UK and Europe, specifically France and the Czech Republic. This is important since in line with the MRC's aim to provide leadership in international partnerships. The MRC recognises that "international collaborations play an essential role in maintaining the high standards of research that the MRC funds". Our collaborations will be long-term and involve exchange of researchers between labs. We expect that they will be leveraged to win additional funding, for example through European funding schemes. Thus, we expect that this research will have a positive impact on science in the UK and Europe well beyond the immediate research outputs.
Commercial private sector / public sector.
We will teach skills that are highly relevant outside of academia. This project will train 2 PDRAs and 1 technician, and we are committed to the training of PhD students (currently three in the lab) and undergraduates. The technologies used in this project, such as genome wide RNAi screen, bespoke bioinformatics tools, deep sequencing analyses, are all at the cutting edge of science, not to mention transferable skills such as project management and communication. In addition, my laboratory is developing a good track record in translating basic science into applied research. We have a strong programme in drug discovery that involves a major industrial partner with Glaxo Smith Kline. All trainees coming through our lab will benefit from these activities since we operate in an open environment where ideas and data are constantly exchanged through lab meetings and informal discussions. Since many of our trainees will go on to have careers in the private and public sector we will contribute to the training of a highly skilled workforce.
Global Health.
This project does not directly aim to develop therapies for neglected diseases or commercially exploitable products. However, the trypanosome cell lines generated in Aim 2 will be very valuable tools in efforts to understand drug action in trypanosomes and to develop novel anti-trypanosomatid drugs. For example, our preliminary data using such cell lines confirms that interference with maintenance or expression of mitochondrial DNA is part of the mode of action of widely used veterinary drugs. We also anticipate benefits to Global Health in the long-term. The intended research aims to identify essential enzymes with highly specific functions in these parasites, which are potential new drug targets. We have a very good track record in feeding such discoveries into the translational pipeline: the drug discovery programme mentioned above is a direct consequence of identifying such a parasite-specific enzyme a few years ago. In addition, the project is aimed at increasing our fundamental understanding of mitochondrial biology, an area of very high medical relevance. It is increasingly recognised that mutations in the respiratory complexes that we study are linked to severe disorders in humans, and that many common human diseases are associated with a decline in mitochondrial activity. Respiratory switches like the one in trypanosomes that we propose to investigate, are also as a hallmark of many cancer cells. Although not expected in the time frame of this study, any exploitable results will be developed through Edinburgh Research and Innovation who have extensive expertise in this area. Data will be shared in accordance with MRC and University policy.
The wider public
As detailed elsewhere, we are committed to advancing public understanding in science and will communicate our field of research, including the broader question of inequalities in global health, to a wider audience in several ways (see Communications Plan).
In addition to direct benefits (see Academic Beneficiaries) the highly collaborative nature of this project will strengthen ties between labs and academic institutions on campus, within the UK (Edinburgh, Dundee, St Andrews, Cambridge, Glasgow), and between the UK and Europe, specifically France and the Czech Republic. This is important since in line with the MRC's aim to provide leadership in international partnerships. The MRC recognises that "international collaborations play an essential role in maintaining the high standards of research that the MRC funds". Our collaborations will be long-term and involve exchange of researchers between labs. We expect that they will be leveraged to win additional funding, for example through European funding schemes. Thus, we expect that this research will have a positive impact on science in the UK and Europe well beyond the immediate research outputs.
Commercial private sector / public sector.
We will teach skills that are highly relevant outside of academia. This project will train 2 PDRAs and 1 technician, and we are committed to the training of PhD students (currently three in the lab) and undergraduates. The technologies used in this project, such as genome wide RNAi screen, bespoke bioinformatics tools, deep sequencing analyses, are all at the cutting edge of science, not to mention transferable skills such as project management and communication. In addition, my laboratory is developing a good track record in translating basic science into applied research. We have a strong programme in drug discovery that involves a major industrial partner with Glaxo Smith Kline. All trainees coming through our lab will benefit from these activities since we operate in an open environment where ideas and data are constantly exchanged through lab meetings and informal discussions. Since many of our trainees will go on to have careers in the private and public sector we will contribute to the training of a highly skilled workforce.
Global Health.
This project does not directly aim to develop therapies for neglected diseases or commercially exploitable products. However, the trypanosome cell lines generated in Aim 2 will be very valuable tools in efforts to understand drug action in trypanosomes and to develop novel anti-trypanosomatid drugs. For example, our preliminary data using such cell lines confirms that interference with maintenance or expression of mitochondrial DNA is part of the mode of action of widely used veterinary drugs. We also anticipate benefits to Global Health in the long-term. The intended research aims to identify essential enzymes with highly specific functions in these parasites, which are potential new drug targets. We have a very good track record in feeding such discoveries into the translational pipeline: the drug discovery programme mentioned above is a direct consequence of identifying such a parasite-specific enzyme a few years ago. In addition, the project is aimed at increasing our fundamental understanding of mitochondrial biology, an area of very high medical relevance. It is increasingly recognised that mutations in the respiratory complexes that we study are linked to severe disorders in humans, and that many common human diseases are associated with a decline in mitochondrial activity. Respiratory switches like the one in trypanosomes that we propose to investigate, are also as a hallmark of many cancer cells. Although not expected in the time frame of this study, any exploitable results will be developed through Edinburgh Research and Innovation who have extensive expertise in this area. Data will be shared in accordance with MRC and University policy.
The wider public
As detailed elsewhere, we are committed to advancing public understanding in science and will communicate our field of research, including the broader question of inequalities in global health, to a wider audience in several ways (see Communications Plan).
Organisations
- University of Edinburgh (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- University of South Bohemia (Collaboration)
- MV Diagnostics Ltd (Collaboration)
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Collaboration)
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (Collaboration)
- University of California, San Diego (UCSD) (Collaboration)
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Liverpool (Project Partner)
- University of Glasgow (Project Partner)
- University of Cambridge (Project Partner)
- University of South Bohemia in Ceské Budejovice (Project Partner)
- University of Dundee (Project Partner)
- University of Bordeaux (Project Partner)
- University of St Andrews (Project Partner)
Publications
Aphasizheva I
(2020)
Lexis and Grammar of Mitochondrial RNA Processing in Trypanosomes.
in Trends in parasitology
Boushaki D
(2022)
Molecular Analysis of Trypanosome Infections in Algerian Camels
in Acta Parasitologica
Büscher P
(2019)
Equine trypanosomosis: enigmas and diagnostic challenges.
in Parasites & vectors
Cooper S
(2022)
Organization of minicircle cassettes and guide RNA genes in Trypanosoma brucei
in RNA
Cooper S
(2019)
Assembly and annotation of the mitochondrial minicircle genome of a differentiation-competent strain of Trypanosoma brucei.
in Nucleic acids research
Cuypers B
(2016)
Apolipoprotein L1 Variant Associated with Increased Susceptibility to Trypanosome Infection.
in mBio
Dewar CE
(2018)
Mitochondrial DNA is critical for longevity and metabolism of transmission stage Trypanosoma brucei.
in PLoS pathogens
Eze AA
(2016)
Reduced Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Is a Late Adaptation of Trypanosoma brucei brucei to Isometamidium Preceded by Mutations in the ? Subunit of the F1Fo-ATPase.
in PLoS neglected tropical diseases
Description | Ad hoc advisory group on non-tsetse transmitted animal trypanosomoses. Meets annually at the OIE headquarters in Paris. |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | The discussions of the workgroup result in updated policies issued by OIE on diagnosis and treatment of surra and dourine. |
URL | https://www.oie.int/nttat/index.html |
Description | European Lead Factory Screening Programme |
Amount | £1 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ELFSC09_02 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2015 |
End | 01/2020 |
Description | ISSF2 |
Amount | £29,973 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Department | Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 05/2017 |
Description | ISSF3 April 2019 |
Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | IS3-R2.28 |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2019 |
End | 11/2019 |
Description | ISSF3 December 2019 |
Amount | £25,142 (GBP) |
Funding ID | IS3-R1.11 19/20 |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 07/2020 |
Description | Wellcome Trust Project Grant |
Amount | £350,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2011 |
End | 06/2016 |
Title | RNA ligase inhibitors |
Description | A number of RNA ligase inhibitors were identified among compounds that are already commercially available. These results were published. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Companies selling these compounds used our published data for advertising purposes. |
URL | http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/assay/assay.cgi?aid=1117282 |
Title | Trypanosoma brucei ATPase gamma L262P constructs |
Description | These constructs allow to test if a trypanosome gene is exclusively involved in maintenance or expression of mitochondrial DNA (kDNA) |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Scientific advances in the field, some have already resulted in peer-reviewed research publications (some in collaboration). |
Title | Data from: Multiple evolutionary origins of Trypanosoma evansi in Kenya |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Title | Trypanosoma brucei minicircle and gRNA database |
Description | A comprehensive collection of minicircles and gRNA molecules in Trypanosoma brucei Antat 1.1. Available at http://hank.bio. ed.ac.uk |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | We are not tracking visitors to this website/database, but will record any citations of the associated publication. |
URL | http://hank.bio.ed.ac.uk |
Description | Analysis of respiratory complexes in Trypanosoma brucei |
Organisation | Seattle Biomedical Research Institute |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Data generation and analysis. |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration between the Parsons lab at SBRI and our lab investigates the function of respiratory complexes in Trypanosoma brucei. Data are generated and analyzed in a collaborative way in both labs. A manuscript is in preparation. |
Impact | Data have been presented at several international meetings. One manuscript has been published and one is in preparation. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Diagnostic tools for non-tsetse transmitted trypanosomiasis |
Organisation | MV Diagnostics Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data |
Collaborator Contribution | Identification of molecular markers of diagnostic value |
Impact | Identification of diagnostic candidates |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | REL1 drug development collaboration with R. Amaro and M. Greaney |
Organisation | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | REL1 inhibitor candidates identified by virtual screening or synthesized in our collaborator's labs are tested in our lab in in vitro and in vivo assays. The discussion of results and planning of next steps involves all collaborators. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators identify and synthesize candidate inhibitors for REL1, a trypanosome enzyme that we study. Joint grant applications are in progress. |
Impact | We have identified a number of micromolar REL1 inhibitors and are in the process of testing more. Some of these inhibitors were presented in publication (PMIDs 18981420 and 20808768). Building on preliminary results as well as results published in the above study, a grant to further develop and expand this project has been awarded by the Wellcome Trust. |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | REL1 drug development collaboration with R. Amaro and M. Greaney |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Department | School of Chemistry Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | REL1 inhibitor candidates identified by virtual screening or synthesized in our collaborator's labs are tested in our lab in in vitro and in vivo assays. The discussion of results and planning of next steps involves all collaborators. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators identify and synthesize candidate inhibitors for REL1, a trypanosome enzyme that we study. Joint grant applications are in progress. |
Impact | We have identified a number of micromolar REL1 inhibitors and are in the process of testing more. Some of these inhibitors were presented in publication (PMIDs 18981420 and 20808768). Building on preliminary results as well as results published in the above study, a grant to further develop and expand this project has been awarded by the Wellcome Trust. |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Trypanosoma evansi sequencing project |
Organisation | Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing, molecular biology |
Collaborator Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing |
Impact | The genome of Trypanosoma evansi STIB810 has been sequenced and analyzed and been deposited in public databases. A manuscript is in press. Genome sequences from numerous T. b. evansi and T. b. equiperdum isolates have been generated by partners and made available to us for collaborative analysis. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Trypanosoma evansi sequencing project |
Organisation | Seattle Biomedical Research Institute |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing, molecular biology |
Collaborator Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing |
Impact | The genome of Trypanosoma evansi STIB810 has been sequenced and analyzed and been deposited in public databases. A manuscript is in press. Genome sequences from numerous T. b. evansi and T. b. equiperdum isolates have been generated by partners and made available to us for collaborative analysis. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Trypanosoma evansi sequencing project |
Organisation | The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing, molecular biology |
Collaborator Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing |
Impact | The genome of Trypanosoma evansi STIB810 has been sequenced and analyzed and been deposited in public databases. A manuscript is in press. Genome sequences from numerous T. b. evansi and T. b. equiperdum isolates have been generated by partners and made available to us for collaborative analysis. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Trypanosoma evansi sequencing project |
Organisation | University of South Bohemia |
Department | Institute of Parasitology |
Country | Czech Republic |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing, molecular biology |
Collaborator Contribution | Bioinformatics analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents, genome sequencing |
Impact | The genome of Trypanosoma evansi STIB810 has been sequenced and analyzed and been deposited in public databases. A manuscript is in press. Genome sequences from numerous T. b. evansi and T. b. equiperdum isolates have been generated by partners and made available to us for collaborative analysis. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Title | Bioinformatics tools for trypanosome mitochondrial genome and transcriptome analysis |
Description | Scripts and algorithms for mitochondrial genome and transcriptome analysis in trypanosomes. Available at GitHub repository https://github.com/nicksavill/kDNA-annotation. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Critical part of a publication that has been published in October 2019. Useful tools for the research community. |
URL | https://github.com/nicksavill/kDNA-annotation |
Title | RNA editing intermediates mapping software |
Description | A collection of scripts that allows identification and analysis of Trypanosoma brucei RNA editing intermediates |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | Research publications and analyses (some in collaboration with other groups in the field, for example Prof Jorge Cruz-Reyes, Texas A&M University; Prof Laurie Read, University of Buffalo) are in progress |
Title | rKOMICS |
Description | Bioinformatics pipeline for trypanosome mitochondrial genome assemblies |
Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | Tool for mitochondrial genome assemblies for trypanosomes. Expected to be widely used by the trypanosome research community. |
URL | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34583651/ |
Description | Interactive presentation at Edinburgh University Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Our interactive presentation stimulated thinking and discussions about the challenges of translating basic research into new therapies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2016 |
Description | OIE supported workgroup on Non-Tsetse Transmitted African Trypanosomes |
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 | Information exchange with practitioners, animal health organisations and scientist on progress and current issues regarding non-tsetse transmitted African trypanosomes (Trypanosoma evansi, T. equiperdum, T. vivax). Participation in expert panel to advise on policy of OIE, an organisation with global remit. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
URL | https://www.oie.int/nttat/index.html |
Description | Participation at University Open Day |
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 | Participation at University Open Day; engage with members of the general public and prospective students; discuss research going on in my lab |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Participation in dourine workshop |
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 | 7th Workshops of the National Reference Laboratories for equine diseases; Subject: Contagious equine metritis and Dourine. Exchange and coordination of protocols; discussion of new research developments; reports from the field; discussion of policies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |