Serap Aksoy, PhD
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Research Summary
We study the epidemiology of African trypanosomiasis. Our laboratory investigations include the molecular basis of biological complexity that determine host-microbe interactions, with a focus on tsetse flies, insect vectors of the protozoan parasite African trypanosomes. We investigate the molecular nature of tsetse immunity during parasite transmission with the eventual goal of manipulating these responses to block disease transmission. Tsetse also harbors three maternally transmitted bacterial symbionts, which influence its nutritional and reproductive biology. We characterize the biology of each symbiont using biochemical, genetic, cellular and molecular techniques to understand the evolution and functional significance of each in the context of the dynamic host environment. We developed a paratransgenic approach where we exploit the commensal gut flora to express in the midgut mileu trypanocidal products that can block parasite development. The replacement of natural tsetse populations with the engineered parasite refractory flies can provide a novel approach for control of this devastating vector-borne disease. Our recent investigations have focused on parasite transcriptomics using single cell RNA methodology. These studies identified novel proteins on the surface of metacyclic parasites which are deposited to the mammalian bite site in saliva. These proteins are now being pursued as transmission blocking vaccine antigens to increase the toolbox for this disease.
Specialized Terms: African trypanosomes; Bacterial symbionts of tsetse flies; Transmission Blocking Vaccines
Extensive Research Description
Dr. Aksoy's research aims to understand the biology of host-pathogen interactions; in particular in tsetse flies, which transmit African trypanosomes and harbor multiple symbiotic microbes. Basic studies focus on the immune aspects of trypanosome transmission in tsetse, while the applied studies aim to harness this information to develop biologically sound and novel disease control strategies to interrupt parasite development in the tsetse vector. A second area of research focuses on the molecular and evolutionary basis of symbiosis. The biology of each tsetse symbiont is characterized using biochemical, genomic, genetic, cellular and molecular techniques to understand their functional significance in the context of host ecology.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Trypanosomiasis, African; Tsetse Flies; Global Health; One Health
Public Health Interests
Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics; Global Health; Infectious Diseases; Vector Biology; Vector-borne Diseases
Research Image
Field work in Uganda
Selected Publications
- Single-cell RNA sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei from tsetse salivary glands unveils metacyclogenesis and identifies potential transmission blocking antigens.Vigneron A, O'Neill MB, Weiss BL, Savage AF, Campbell OC, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Aksoy S. Single-cell RNA sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei from tsetse salivary glands unveils metacyclogenesis and identifies potential transmission blocking antigens. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 2613-2621. PMID: 31964820, PMCID: PMC7007551, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914423117.
- Colonization of the tsetse fly midgut with commensal Kosakonia cowanii Zambiae inhibits trypanosome infection establishment.Weiss BL, Maltz MA, Vigneron A, Wu Y, Walter KS, O'Neill MB, Wang J, Aksoy S. Colonization of the tsetse fly midgut with commensal Kosakonia cowanii Zambiae inhibits trypanosome infection establishment. PLoS Pathogens 2019, 15: e1007470. PMID: 30817773, PMCID: PMC6394900, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007470.
- Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes.Attardo GM, Abd-Alla AMM, Acosta-Serrano A, Allen JE, Bateta R, Benoit JB, Bourtzis K, Caers J, Caljon G, Christensen MB, Farrow DW, Friedrich M, Hua-Van A, Jennings EC, Larkin DM, Lawson D, Lehane MJ, Lenis VP, Lowy-Gallego E, Macharia RW, Malacrida AR, Marco HG, Masiga D, Maslen GL, Matetovici I, Meisel RP, Meki I, Michalkova V, Miller WJ, Minx P, Mireji PO, Ometto L, Parker AG, Rio R, Rose C, Rosendale AJ, Rota-Stabelli O, Savini G, Schoofs L, Scolari F, Swain MT, Takáč P, Tomlinson C, Tsiamis G, Van Den Abbeele J, Vigneron A, Wang J, Warren WC, Waterhouse RM, Weirauch MT, Weiss BL, Wilson RK, Zhao X, Aksoy S. Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes. Genome Biology 2019, 20: 187. PMID: 31477173, PMCID: PMC6721284, DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1768-2.
- A fine-tuned vector-parasite dialogue in tsetse's cardia determines peritrophic matrix integrity and trypanosome transmission success.Vigneron A, Aksoy E, Weiss BL, Bing X, Zhao X, Awuoche EO, O'Neill MB, Wu Y, Attardo GM, Aksoy S. A fine-tuned vector-parasite dialogue in tsetse's cardia determines peritrophic matrix integrity and trypanosome transmission success. PLoS Pathogens 2018, 14: e1006972. PMID: 29614112, PMCID: PMC5898766, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006972.
- Unravelling the relationship between the tsetse fly and its obligate symbiont Wigglesworthia: transcriptomic and metabolomic landscapes reveal highly integrated physiological networks.Bing X, Attardo GM, Vigneron A, Aksoy E, Scolari F, Malacrida A, Weiss BL, Aksoy S. Unravelling the relationship between the tsetse fly and its obligate symbiont Wigglesworthia: transcriptomic and metabolomic landscapes reveal highly integrated physiological networks. Proceedings. Biological Sciences / The Royal Society 2017, 284 PMID: 28659447, PMCID: PMC5489720, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0360.
- Human African trypanosomiasis control: Achievements and challenges.Aksoy S, Buscher P, Lehane M, Solano P, Van Den Abbeele J. Human African trypanosomiasis control: Achievements and challenges. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2017, 11: e0005454. PMID: 28426685, PMCID: PMC5398477, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005454.
- Mammalian African trypanosome VSG coat enhances tsetse's vector competence.Aksoy E, Vigneron A, Bing X, Zhao X, O'Neill M, Wu YN, Bangs JD, Weiss BL, Aksoy S. Mammalian African trypanosome VSG coat enhances tsetse's vector competence. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2016, 113: 6961-6. PMID: 27185908, PMCID: PMC4922192, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1600304113.
- PGRP-LB is a maternally transmitted immune milk protein that influences symbiosis and parasitism in tsetse's offspring.Wang J, Aksoy S. PGRP-LB is a maternally transmitted immune milk protein that influences symbiosis and parasitism in tsetse's offspring. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2012, 109: 10552-7. PMID: 22689989, PMCID: PMC3387098, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1116431109.
- Obligate symbionts activate immune system development in the tsetse fly.Weiss BL, Maltz M, Aksoy S. Obligate symbionts activate immune system development in the tsetse fly. Journal Of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) 2012, 188: 3395-403. PMID: 22368278, PMCID: PMC3311772, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103691.
- Tsetse immune system maturation requires the presence of obligate symbionts in larvae.Weiss BL, Wang J, Aksoy S. Tsetse immune system maturation requires the presence of obligate symbionts in larvae. PLoS Biology 2011, 9: e1000619. PMID: 21655301, PMCID: PMC3104962, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000619.
- Wolbachia symbiont infections induce strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans.Alam U, Medlock J, Brelsfoard C, Pais R, Lohs C, Balmand S, Carnogursky J, Heddi A, Takac P, Galvani A, Aksoy S. Wolbachia symbiont infections induce strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans. PLoS Pathogens 2011, 7: e1002415. PMID: 22174680, PMCID: PMC3234226, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002415.
- Interactions between mutualist Wigglesworthia and tsetse peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-LB) influence trypanosome transmission.Wang J, Wu Y, Yang G, Aksoy S. Interactions between mutualist Wigglesworthia and tsetse peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-LB) influence trypanosome transmission. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2009, 106: 12133-8. PMID: 19587241, PMCID: PMC2715537, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0901226106.
- Massive genome erosion and functional adaptations provide insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of Sodalis glossinidius in the tsetse host.Toh H, Weiss BL, Perkin SA, Yamashita A, Oshima K, Hattori M, Aksoy S. Massive genome erosion and functional adaptations provide insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of Sodalis glossinidius in the tsetse host. Genome Research 2006, 16: 149-56. PMID: 16365377, PMCID: PMC1361709, DOI: 10.1101/gr.4106106.
- A machine learning approach to integrating genetic and ecological data in tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes) for spatially explicit vector control planning.Bishop AP, Amatulli G, Hyseni C, Pless E, Bateta R, Okeyo WA, Mireji PO, Okoth S, Malele I, Murilla G, Aksoy S, Caccone A, Saarman NP. A machine learning approach to integrating genetic and ecological data in tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes) for spatially explicit vector control planning. Evolutionary Applications 2021, 14: 1762-1777. PMID: 34295362, PMCID: PMC8288027, DOI: 10.1111/eva.13237.
- Infection with endosymbiotic Spiroplasma disrupts tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) metabolic and reproductive homeostasis.Son JH, Weiss BL, Schneider DI, Dera KM, Gstöttenmayer F, Opiro R, Echodu R, Saarman NP, Attardo GM, Onyango M, Abd-Alla AMM, Aksoy S. Infection with endosymbiotic Spiroplasma disrupts tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) metabolic and reproductive homeostasis. PLoS Pathogens 2021, 17: e1009539. PMID: 34529715, PMCID: PMC8478229, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009539.
- Viviparity and habitat restrictions may influence the evolution of male reproductive genes in tsetse fly (Glossina) species.Savini G, Scolari F, Ometto L, Rota-Stabelli O, Carraretto D, Gomulski LM, Gasperi G, Abd-Alla AMM, Aksoy S, Attardo GM, Malacrida AR. Viviparity and habitat restrictions may influence the evolution of male reproductive genes in tsetse fly (Glossina) species. BMC Biology 2021, 19: 211. PMID: 34556101, PMCID: PMC8461966, DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01148-4.