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Project properties |
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| Title | Nematodes as an epidemiological disease model: tracking virus and parasite infections in complex communities |
| Group | Nematology, Laboratory of |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Jan Kammenga/Lisa van Sluijs |
| Examiner(s) | Staff members Nematology |
| Contact info | Arjen.Schots@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2023/01/01 |
| End date | 2024/12/31 |
| Description | Climate change and urbanisation alter composition of communities through which infectious disease agents such as viruses spread. Although biodiversity losses are thought to increase disease risks, the exact role of intra- and interspecies specific diversity on disease spread remains cryptic. We use the nematode C. elegans and related species as an epidemiological model to monitor spread of viruses and other parasites in complex communities. Hereby, we aim to understand risks of disease spread and predict when spill-over events from reservoir species may become likely.
To answer how viruses and other parasites spread through populations where individuals differ in viral susceptibility, we use high-throughput techniques, such as MinION community and (small) RNA sequencing. By using fluorescent reporter strains, infections can be followed in real-time and we also use quantitative PCRs and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) to determine exactly how much virus or parasite is present. Nematodes have the experimental advantage that both viral susceptibility and transmissibility can be monitored and thereby effects of ‘superspreaders’ and ‘superdiluters’ within communities can be established. In conclusion, your work will contribute to unravel transmission of infections in complex communities to improve disease models and predict disease risks under changing circumstances. |
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