Summary
Parasites can be found everywhere, playing crucial roles in ecological, economical, and evolutionary contexts. Despite this, host-parasite interactions, particularly those involving parasites that manipulate their hosts’ behavior to enhance transmission, are severely understudied. We therefore lack the knowledge to fully understand parasite evolution, ecology, and ecosystem impact.
To begin uncovering the molecular basis of host manipulation, I aim to study the parasitic horsehair worm Gordionus violaceus, known for its ability to force its arthropod host into drowning itself. I will analyze the neuropeptide (NP) complement, binding affinities, and behavioral consequences of host manipulation. To do so, I will identify NPs and receptors in G. violaceus and its host, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, via a bioinformatics survey and validate my results via Mass Spectrometry. Next, I will assess the binding affinity between candidate parasite NPs and host receptors by transfecting cells and measuring their luminescence response. Lastly, I will validate the functionality of the candidate NPs and receptors in a behavioral assay, exploring water-seeking, suicidal and predator avoidance behavior in crickets exposed to the candidate NPs as well as crickets infected with G. violaceus. Introducing single and multiple injections will allow me to discern dose-response relationships.
This proposal integrates cutting-edge techniques in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and behavioral analysis, offering a holistic approach to untangle the intricate NP dynamics within a host-parasite system. As we start to understand host-parasite interactions and manipulation we can gain crucial insights into the delicate balance of co-existence between organisms, shedding light on the ecological dynamics and the remarkable strategies that parasites have evolved to ensure their survival and transmission within complex ecosystems.
To begin uncovering the molecular basis of host manipulation, I aim to study the parasitic horsehair worm Gordionus violaceus, known for its ability to force its arthropod host into drowning itself. I will analyze the neuropeptide (NP) complement, binding affinities, and behavioral consequences of host manipulation. To do so, I will identify NPs and receptors in G. violaceus and its host, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, via a bioinformatics survey and validate my results via Mass Spectrometry. Next, I will assess the binding affinity between candidate parasite NPs and host receptors by transfecting cells and measuring their luminescence response. Lastly, I will validate the functionality of the candidate NPs and receptors in a behavioral assay, exploring water-seeking, suicidal and predator avoidance behavior in crickets exposed to the candidate NPs as well as crickets infected with G. violaceus. Introducing single and multiple injections will allow me to discern dose-response relationships.
This proposal integrates cutting-edge techniques in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and behavioral analysis, offering a holistic approach to untangle the intricate NP dynamics within a host-parasite system. As we start to understand host-parasite interactions and manipulation we can gain crucial insights into the delicate balance of co-existence between organisms, shedding light on the ecological dynamics and the remarkable strategies that parasites have evolved to ensure their survival and transmission within complex ecosystems.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101150689 |
| Start date: | 15-09-2024 |
| End date: | 14-09-2026 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 173 847,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Parasites can be found everywhere, playing crucial roles in ecological, economical, and evolutionary contexts. Despite this, host-parasite interactions, particularly those involving parasites that manipulate their hosts’ behavior to enhance transmission, are severely understudied. We therefore lack the knowledge to fully understand parasite evolution, ecology, and ecosystem impact.To begin uncovering the molecular basis of host manipulation, I aim to study the parasitic horsehair worm Gordionus violaceus, known for its ability to force its arthropod host into drowning itself. I will analyze the neuropeptide (NP) complement, binding affinities, and behavioral consequences of host manipulation. To do so, I will identify NPs and receptors in G. violaceus and its host, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, via a bioinformatics survey and validate my results via Mass Spectrometry. Next, I will assess the binding affinity between candidate parasite NPs and host receptors by transfecting cells and measuring their luminescence response. Lastly, I will validate the functionality of the candidate NPs and receptors in a behavioral assay, exploring water-seeking, suicidal and predator avoidance behavior in crickets exposed to the candidate NPs as well as crickets infected with G. violaceus. Introducing single and multiple injections will allow me to discern dose-response relationships.
This proposal integrates cutting-edge techniques in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and behavioral analysis, offering a holistic approach to untangle the intricate NP dynamics within a host-parasite system. As we start to understand host-parasite interactions and manipulation we can gain crucial insights into the delicate balance of co-existence between organisms, shedding light on the ecological dynamics and the remarkable strategies that parasites have evolved to ensure their survival and transmission within complex ecosystems.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01-01Update Date
24-11-2024
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