Award details

Integrative Entomology

Reference	BBS/E/I/00002066
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Anthony Wilson
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	127,564
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/03/2015
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	24 months

Abstract

Insects, ticks are capable of posing significant threats to livestock, public health and wildlife both through direct impact and via the pathogens they transmit. However, the involvement of arthropods (insects or ticks) in transmission may also mean additional opportunities for management and control. In this project, we will study two main areas: vector ecology and vector-virus interactions. For the first area of research, we will develop mechanistic models to improve our understanding of the dynamics of insect populations. During the development of these models we will work closely with industrial and policymaker groups to maximise the potential uses of the models we develop, for example in optimising control strategies or assessing the possible consequences of GM insect release. For the second area, we will develop models of transmission processes including within-vector viral dissemination, fitting these models to real data generated via artificial infection and transmission studies. These will complement other research areas at Pirbright and elsewhere to locate, understand and exploit within-vector barriers to viral dissemination, as well as understanding patterns of infection in wild insect populations. This area of research will also include studies of atypical arthropod transmission processes, such as mechanical transmission by insects, and the effects of factors such as larval stress and coinfection on competence, and will draw upon a range of technologies including the production of tailored reporter viruses using reverse genetics and the use of advanced bioimaging technologies. For both areas of work, we will also develop or adapt appropriate statistical methodologies for model fitting, in collaboration with the Mathematical Biology group at Pirbright

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health, Systems Biology
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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