Genome editing provides insights the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis and related neglected tropical diseases

paul J brindley

Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC USA

pbrindley@gwu.edu

Link to seminar:https://umontpellier-fr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wNPI8HN7SUWS4fKxiAC0lg

Functional genomics methods are needed in the arena of the Neglected Tropical Diseases, especially for helminth parasites, to facilitate basic and transformational studies to improve global public health. Gain-of-function phenotypes would be valuable in this context. Hence, the motivation for the investigation to be described was to identify a genome safe harbor (GSH) site in the chromosomes of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, and to develop methods for transgene insertion and methods to characterize transgene performance following homology directed insertion at the schistosome GSH. The progress reported here can be expected to advance functional genomics for species of the Platyhelminthes - including free living model species of planarians, and should be adaptable to helminths generally. Indeed, an update on gene knockout to investigate Asian liver fluke infection associated liver cancer will be included.

Recent publications:

¹ Ittiprasert W, Möscheid MF, Chaparoo C et al Targeted insertion and reporter transgene activity at a gene safe harbor of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.02.506379v3

² Chaiyadet S, Tangkawattana S, Smout MJ et al 2022 Knockout of liver fluke granulin, Ov-grn-1, impedes malignant transformation during chronic infection with Opisthorchis viverrini. PLoS Pathogens18(9):e1010839. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010839

³ Ittiprasert W, Mann VH, Karinshak SE et al 2019 Programmed genome editing of the omega-1 ribonuclease of the blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. Elife. 2019 Jan 15;8:e41337. doi: 10.7554/eLife.41337

Contact:  https://brindleylab.smhs.gwu.edu/

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