Shannon Quek

Project title: The role of novel RNA virus infections in parasitic filarial nematodes.

Shannon identified the presence of several novel RNA viruses infecting parasitic filarial nematodes. These nematodes, such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi or Onchocerca volvulus, cause serious public health issues and while treatments are available, the interactions between human host and parasite are not fully understood. Influence on nematode biology, distribution within nematode tissues and populations, and potential to cause disease in the nematode or human host, are all unknown. Shannon’s project intends to characterise these viruses, their impact on nematode biology and viability and develop the foundations for investigations into their potential role in filarial disease in humans.