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Genetic analysis of arbovirus transmission by insect vectors

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001711
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Mark Fife
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	640,062
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2012
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	59 months

Abstract

Culicoides biting midges spread a number of viruses that cause severe disease in animals, including bluetongue in ruminants, and possibly the recently emerged Schmallenberg virus. Sequencing of the Culicoides sonorensis genome has been now initiated at IAH, in collaboration with TGAC and EBI, to decipher the molecular basis of Culicoides phenotypic variation. This opens up new areas of globally significant vector-biology research, including molecular studies of vector-pathogen-host interactions, to define genetic ‘drivers’ of vector competence and transmission. Genomic DNA (and RNA) from C. sonorensis colonies at IAH and the C. sonorensis ‘KC’ cell line, is being assessed using the Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing platform. Our collaborators at EBI will provide the first annotated genome for any Culicoides spp., that together with insects from the IAH colonies, will allow us to investigate genetic factors and molecular processes involved in orbivirus transmission, replication and vector competence. Analyses of genome-wide SNPs in multiple Culicoides spp and colony-insects bred for different traits will elucidate arthropod phylogenetic relationships and explore the underlying genetics of arthropod blood-feeding and immunology. Phenotypic differences within the colony at IAH, including sensitivity and permissive or non-permissive characteristics for virus infection/replication, will be related to genotype using current mapping strategies for identifying genetic loci involved in vector competence.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health
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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