This PhD opportunity is being offered as part of the LSTM and Lancaster University Doctoral Training Partnership. Find out more about the studentships and how to apply.
| Abstract | Wolbachia-based control is one of most exciting strategies to reduce the burden of vector-borne disease. One flavour of this novel approach centres around the mass release of Wolbachia-infected males, which when mated with wild type females in the field that lack Wolbachia results in eggs that do not hatch due to the action of cytoplasmic incompatibility induce by the bacterium. This subsequently reduces the overall mosquito population. While this approach has shown epidemiological reductions in disease, one challenge is the continuous rearing and release of Wolbachia-infected males. The microbiome of mosquitoes profoundly impacts many aspects of mosquito biology including several phenotypes that are desirable for rearing and release. These include increase fitness, longevity, growth and male attractiveness, amongst other traits. This PhD will characterise mass release males and compare them to their field counterparts and investigate the developing designer microbiomes in for mass reared males and how these microbiomes enhance traits desirable for mass rearing and release. The work builds on the research groups recent innovations to transfer microbe(s) and microbiome between mosquito cohorts in the lab and cryopreserve the microbiomes. This fundamental research is truly innovative and novel and will have great impact in that knowledge gained here can immediately be implemented in mass rearing control approaches that are currently being deployed around the world to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne disease. |
| Where does this project lie in the translational pathway? | T1 - Basic Research,T3 - Evidence into Practice |
| Expected Outputs | The model and results generated are expected to lead to several high-impact papers in recognition of the global importance of this area. The candidate will develop a range of translational laboratory research skills in addition to a deep understanding of pathophysiology of TB, silicosis and detailed knowledge of immunology, in addition to many transferrable research skills, including science communication and advocacy. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop their area of interest towards a continued academic career in the field. |
| Training Opportunities | • Courses on microbiome (16S rRNA/metagenomics) data analysis and using R to examining microbial ecology data. • Vector biology and training for rearing mosquitoes at scale. • Workshops on machine learning and artificial intelligence. • Point pattern and spatiotemporal analyses. |
| Skills Required | A general understanding of vector biology and behaviour, interest in statistics and coding, and an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn. |
| Key Publications associated with this project | Coon KL, Hegde S, Hughes GL (2022) Inter-species microbiome transplantation recapitulates microbial acquisition and persistence in mosquitoes. Microbiome Journal. 10:58 |
| Kozlova EV, Hegde S, Roundy CM, Golovko G, Saldaña MA, Hart CE, Anderson ER, Hornett EA, Khanipov K, Popov VL, Pimenova M, Zhou Y, Fovanov Y, Weaver SC, Routh AL, Heinz E, Hughes GL (2021) Microbial interactions in the mosquito gut determine Serratia colonization and blood feeding propensity. ISME Journal. 15: 93–108 | |
| Cansado-Utrilla C, Zhao SY, McCall PJ, Coon KL, Hughes GL (2021). The microbiome and mosquito vectorial capacity: rich potential for discovery and translation. Microbiome Journal. 9:111. | |
| Zhao SY, Hughes GL, Coon KL (2023) A cryopreservation method to recover laboratory and field-derived bacterial communities from mosquito larval habitats. PLoS Neglected Tropical Disease 17(4): e0011234. | |
| Parker JEA, Angarita-Jaimes N, Abe M, Towers CE, Towers, D & McCall, PJ. (2015) Infrared video tracking of Anopheles gambiae at insecticide-treated bed nets reveals rapid decisive impact after brief localised net contact. Scientific Reports, 5, 13392. |