Applying novel One Health approaches to unravel the epidemiology of a neglected tick-borne flavivirus in the UK
Supervisors
Prof Roman Biek, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Dr Valentina Busin, Moredun Research Institute
CASE PARTNER - UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Summary
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a major threat to human and animal health globally, a threat that is exacerbated by rapidly changing climatic and environmental conditions. This makes TBDs a major focal point for One Health research and management.
Louping ill virus (LIV) is one of two tick-borne flaviviruses in the UK that mainly affects animal health but can be zoonotic. This PhD project will leverage existing sample and data archives, new field data, a suite of cutting edge computational and molecular approaches, and a UK wide network of leading experts, to gain new insights into the epidemiology and ecology of LIV.
The project will address three relevant research aims that will providing excellent training opportunities:
- Identification of environmental drivers and spatial hotspots for LIV by applying advanced spatial statistical approaches to existing surveillance and case data;
- Quantifying spatial and temporal dynamics of LIV transmission from virus genomes based on cutting-edge probe-based target enrichment and phylodynamic analyses;
- Determining the LIV infection reservoir through tick bloodmeal analysis by applying novel molecular assays to field collected samples.
Working with project partners (Moredun Research Institute, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology), and spending a placement at the UK Health Security Agency, will give the student excellent professional experience and networking opportunities, preparing them for a successful scientific career in academia, industry, or government.