Identification of drug resistance genes in Fasciola hepatica using a combined in vitro phenotyping and pooled genotyping approach

Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke is a major cause of disease and production loss in sheep and cattle in the UK and changes in farming practices and climate are leading to increased prevalence and movement of infection into new areas of the UK. To control liver fluke we rely on repeated use of anthelmintic drugs (flukicides), particularly, triclabendazole, to which widespread drug-resistance is now reported. The concern is that as farmers turn to other drugs such as closantel, that resistance will now emerge to these drugs that are currently effective in the majority of cases.

The aim of this project is to use in vitro methods to screen parasites displaying resistance to these alternative flukicides and genetically determine what genes are responsible so that we can better understand how parasites become resistant but also so we can detect and pre-empt the development of multi-drug resistance by providing best practice advice on anthelmntic use to farmers. In addition to developing high level genomic and bioinformatics skills, you will work directly with farmers. This project would be ideal for a qualified veterinary surgeon, or biology graduate with an interest in veterinary science, who wishes to develop skills in advanced next generation sequencing.
BBSRC's Strategic Priorities include an emphasis on 'Agriculture and food security' and specifically: improving the UK's capacity to produce sufficient affordable nutritious safe food. This project falls clearly within that remit because it aims to provide evidence-based advice on parasite control in sheep and cattle and therefore improve meat and milk production. By achieving better control of parasites, promoting strategic guidance on judicious use of anthelmintics whilst identifying the emergence of drug resistance in the field, this project will improve animal welfare, feed conversion and nutrition of sheep and cattle, making meat and milk production more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective; contributing directly to national GDP. The proposal addresses several priority areas within agriculture and food security, such as: animal health, welfare of managed animals, and enhancing sustainable agricultural production. The student will gain experience in working with farmers, demonstrating the high impact of this research, also a target for BBSRC.