Award details

Understanding vector-associated parameters of arbovirus transmission

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001701
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Simon Carpenter
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,386,433
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2012
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	59 months

Abstract

The entomology group will act as a focus for studying the interactions between arboviruses of international importance and their arthropod vectors. These studies will range from field-based investigations that define vector capacity of arthropods under known environmental conditions for horizon scanning purposes to laboratory experimentation that will provide a detailed and fundamental understanding of vector-arbovirus interactions. Primary areas of focus in the field will include studies of dispersal, diel periodicity, host location, seasonality and overwintering capability of adult vectors and habitat association investigations of immature stages. These studies will enable the construction of arbovirus transmission and dispersal models by the mathematical biology group at IAH and also contribute to wider global studies of vector-borne disease. In the laboratory there will be a focus on defining vector competence using standardised methodologies and integrating the work of other groups at IAH and beyond to understand the genetic and immunological basis of this parameter. Projects conducted will have a global focus in part driven by collaboration with the non-vesicular reference laboratory based at IAH, as well as generating data specifically designed to produce risk assessments of arbovirus incursion into the UK. While studies are currently primarily focussed upon Culicoides biting midges and the arboviruses they transmit (not least due to recent outbreaks of bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus in the UK), the entomology group will also widen its remit to include studies of other biological vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. The group will also pursue an increased focus on mechanical vectors of arboviruses as a relatively neglected area of study.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health, Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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