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Regulation of stage-specific gene expression and function of the surface coat of African trypanosomes

English title Regulation of stage-specific gene expression and function of the surface coat of African trypanosomes
Applicant Roditi Isabel
Number 126020
Funding scheme Project funding (Div. I-III)
Research institution Institut für Zellbiologie Departement Biologie Universität Bern
Institution of higher education University of Berne - BE
Main discipline Molecular Biology
Start/End 01.09.2009 - 30.06.2013
Approved amount 600'000.00
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Keywords (6)

trypanosome; parasite; surface glycoproteins; RNA; post-transcriptional control; bonus-of-excellence

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
Trypanosoma brucei is a single-celled parasite that causes human sleeping sickness and the cattle disease Nagana. The parasite can only be transmitted by tsetse flies, and its occurrence is confined to sub-Saharan Africa. The insect is not a mere "flying syringe" that mechanically transfers parasites from one host to the next as it takes a blood meal. Instead, there is a complicated form of communication between trypanosomes and their insect hosts.Our laboratory is interested in how trypanosomes sense their environment, how they adapt to the appropriate host, and in particular what coat proteins are important for survival and successful transmission through the fly to the mammal. In the long term, this information might be exploited to control infection. In carrying out these studies, we are fortunate to have a long-standing collaboration with Professor Reto Brun (Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel), who runs one of the few tsetse laboratories worldwide.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
Nucleolar proteins regulate stage-specific gene expression and ribosomal RNA maturation in Trypanosoma brucei.
Schumann Burkard Gabriela, Käser Sandro, Rose de Araujo Patricia, Schimanski Bernd, Naguleswaran Arunasalam, Knüsel Sebastian, Heller Manfred, Roditi Isabel (2013), Nucleolar proteins regulate stage-specific gene expression and ribosomal RNA maturation in Trypanosoma brucei., in Molecular Microbiology, 88(4), 827-840.
MAP kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) is essential for transmission of Trypanosoma brucei by Glossina morsitans.
Morand Sabine, Kunz Renggli Christina, Roditi Isabel, VassellaErik (2012), MAP kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) is essential for transmission of Trypanosoma brucei by Glossina morsitans., in Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 186(1), 73-76.
Alba-Domain Proteins of Trypanosoma brucei Are Cytoplasmic RNA-Binding Proteins That Interact with the Translation Machinery
Mani Jan, Guttinger Andreas, Schimanski Bernd, Heller Manfred, Acosta-Serrano Alvaro, Pescher Pascale, Spath Gerald, Roditi Isabel (2011), Alba-Domain Proteins of Trypanosoma brucei Are Cytoplasmic RNA-Binding Proteins That Interact with the Translation Machinery, in PLOS ONE, 6(7), .-..
Genome-wide RNAi screens in bloodstream form trypanosomes identify drug transporters
Burkard GS, Jutzi P, Roditi I (2011), Genome-wide RNAi screens in bloodstream form trypanosomes identify drug transporters, in MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY, 175(1), 91-94.
RNA-Seq analysis of the transcriptome of Trypanosoma brucei
Mani Jan, Gunasekera Kapila, Roditi Isabel, RNA-Seq analysis of the transcriptome of Trypanosoma brucei, in Bindereif Albrecht (ed.), Springer, Heidelberg.

Collaboration

Group / person Country
Types of collaboration
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
- Publication
Fasteris SA, Geneva Switzerland (Europe)
- Industry/business/other use-inspired collaboration

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators Meeting 07.05.2013 Janelia Farm, USA
Swiss Trypanosomatid Meeting 23.01.2013 Leysin, Switzerland
Molecular Parasitology Meeting 23.09.2012 Woods Hole, USA
Biology of Parasitism Summer School 27.07.2011 Woods Hole, USA
Kinetoplastid Cell and Molecular Biology Meeting 08.04.2011 Woods Hole, USA
Swiss Trypanosomatid Meeting 26.01.2011 Leysin
Retreat of the PhD school in Microbiology and Immunology of the ETH/University of Zürich 18.09.2010 Ascona


Communication with the public

Communication Title Media Place Year
Media relations: print media, online media Berner Zellbiologin mit 500'000 Dollar ausgezeichnet Der Bund German-speaking Switzerland 08.10.2012
New media (web, blogs, podcasts, news feeds etc.) Eine Million für eine innovative Idee: Parasiten in der Sackgasse Website der Uni Basel German-speaking Switzerland 10.05.2012
Media relations: print media, online media Samstagsinterview: «Ganz ohne Tiere wird die Forschung nicht funktionieren» Der Bund German-speaking Switzerland 20.10.2012
Media relations: print media, online media Schweizer Forscher auf der Jagd nach dem tödlichen Parasiten Basler Zeitung German-speaking Switzerland 11.05.2012
Media relations: radio, television Wissenschaft im Gespräch: Schlafkrankheit - die vergessene Seuche SRF Radio 2 Kultur German-speaking Switzerland 31.10.2012

Awards

Title Year
Grand Challenges Explorations Phase II 2012
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Senior International Scholar 2012

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
144142 Regulation of stage-specific gene expression and the function of the surface coat of African trypanosomes 01.03.2013 Project funding (Div. I-III)
112092 Regulation of stage-specific gene expression and function of the surface coat of african trypanosomes 01.09.2006 Project funding (Div. I-III)
144142 Regulation of stage-specific gene expression and the function of the surface coat of African trypanosomes 01.03.2013 Project funding (Div. I-III)
139231 Advancement of functional genomics research at the University of Bern by extension of LC-MS platform 01.07.2012 R'EQUIP

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