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Review of 3rd Parasitic Nematodes: Bridging the Divide workshop

Mostafa Zamanian 1, William Sullivan 2, Jordan D. Ward 2*
1 Department of Pathobiological Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine,University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
2 Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
Correspondence to: Jordan D. Ward (jward2@ucsc.edu)
On Wednesday June 21st, 2017 before the start of the International C. elegans Meeting, we held a workshop designed to bring parasitologists and C. elegans researchers together. The workshop was made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation Division of Integrative Organismal Systems. The goal was to cover the broad theme of C. elegans as a model for parasitic nematode biology. We had six invited speakers covering a range of nematodes and approaches and also featured four lightning talks from submitted abstracts.

Soil-dwelling helminths such as hookworms, whipworms, and Ascaris infect hundreds of millions of people globally, and also infect livestock and crops. Dick Davis (University of Colorado School of Medicine) gave an overview of Ascaris, highlighting resources, tools, and key questions in this system. Two fascinating features of the system he discussed were somatic DNA elimination, in which 15% of the genome is removed in somatic cells during embryogenesis, and early zygotic genome transcription commencing remarkably early (immediately following fertilization). Elissa Hallem (UCLA) discussed parasitic nematode sensory behaviors with respect to host seeking. Using both Strongyloides nematodes and C. elegans, her group is exploring the neurobiology of how parasites find their hosts. Tiffany Baiocchi, a PhD student with Adler Dillman (University of California, Riverside) presented her work on novel odorants produced from nematode­-parasitized insect cadavers and the behavioral responses this odorant triggers in both free-­living and parasitic nematodes. Jonathan Ewbank (Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille- Luminy) gave a lightning talk on assembling the Nippostrongyloides brasieliensis genome and dealing with complex repeats; this nematode is a parasite of rodents and a useful model for human hookworm infection.

Two experts discussed filarial parasites, a group of nematodes that cause lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Several of these species carry obligate endosymbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia), which is an attractive therapeutic target. Malina Bakowski (California Institute for Biomedical Research) discussed her high-throughput screens to identify potent anti-Wolbachia molecules. Sara Lustigman (New York Blood Center) presented on the role of “omics” and molecular tools in Brugia species efforts to eliminate nematodes that cause the human disease filariasis. Conor Caffrey (University of California, San Diego) also presented a high-content screening system for flatworms which cause schistosomiasis.

Adrian Wolstenholme (University of Georgia) discussed the problem of resistance to anthelminthics and the mechanisms of resistance. His group uses a combination of heterologous studies in C. elegans and work in parasites such as Brugia malayi and Haemonchus contortus to explore potential mechanisms of resistance to drugs such as ivermectin and diethylcarbamizine. Nidhi Sharma, a Ph.D student with John Gilleard (University of Calgary) presented a lightning talk on the role of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes in benzimidazole drug biotransformation by nematodes. Keeping with the theme of glycosylation,  Patricia Berninsone (University of Nevada, Reno) gave a lightning talk on her identification of nematode phosphorylcholine-modified N-glycoproteins using C. elegans.

This was the third time that the workshop was held and it brought together 77 participants to explore a range of approaches and systems to explore parasitic nematode biology and to define areas where C. elegans researchers can make significant impact. Going forward, we aim to integrate the workshop into regular program of the worm meeting as having it beforehand limits the ability of some researchers attend. Look for us at the 2019 Worm Meeting!

Parasitic Nematodes: Bridging the Divide workshop: Call for Lightning Talk Abstracts

Mostafa Zamanian1, William Sullivan2, Jordan D. Ward2
1 Department of Pathobiological Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine,University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
1 Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
Correspondence to: Jordan D. Ward (jward2@ucsc.edu)
Workshop Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Workshop Time: 2:30pm- 5:30pm
Workshop Location: Sunset Village Grand Horizon Ballroom
Lightning Talk Abstract Submission Deadline: May 12, 2017 (5pm PST)
Notification of Acceptance: May 19, 2017
We are pleased to invite student and postdoc abstract submissions for 5 minute lightning talks to be presented at the NSF-sponsored, 3rd Parasitic Nematodes: Bridging the Divide workshop. We encourage submissions that address the broad theme of C. elegans as a model for parasitic nematode biology, including work relating to human, animal, and plant parasitic nematodes and from both a basic biology standpoint or a translational perspective.
The platform provided by this workshop represents a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to interact with other researchers at the intersection of C. elegans biology and parasitology. These five minute talks will be presented on the first day of the 21st International C. elegans Meeting. The presenting authors must be available during any of the limited number of possible time slots available.
Abstract submissions are due on May 12th at 5pm PST and presenting authors will be notified of decisions by May 19th. Instructions for logistics and formatting of lightning talk presentations will follow acceptance. Abstract Format: Abstracts should be limited to 2,500 characters in total, including the title, authors, author affiliations, main body, and spaces. Abstracts should be sent to the workshop e-mail address (parasiteworkshop@gmail.com) as a single PDF file with subject heading “Lightning Talk Abstract”. A notification of receipt will follow submission. Accepted abstracts will appear online in a Worm Breeder’s Gazette article and titles will be listed on the International Worm Meeting website.

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NEW LAB ANNOUNCEMENT: Jordan D. Ward

Jordan D. Ward
Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz,
Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
mcd.ucsc.edu/faculty/ward.html
Correspondence to: Jordan D. Ward (jward2@ucsc.edu)
I am delighted to announce that as of Jul 1st, 2016 the Ward lab has opened at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. We are interested in how the remarkable complexity and noise of gene regulation is converted into the beautiful and precise cellular behaviors that drive animal development. We use a combination of genetics, molecular biology, microscopy, in vitro biochemistry, and genomics to determine how individual, evolutionarily conserved transcription factors regulate distinct gene expression programs controlling cell division and differentiation and organ development in living animals. We are especially interested in transcription factor regulation of two cellular processes: i) development of the nematode vulva, which is a paradigm of organogenesis; and ii) the nematode molt, which is the shedding of the old skin (cuticle) and generation of a new one. We also extend our findings into the human parasitic nematode Brugia malayi, which causes the disfiguring disease lymphatic filariasis, in an effort to understand how the gene regulatory networks evolve in the context of a parasitic life cycle. For more information, visit our lab website: http://www.jordandward.com

 

Positions are available at all levels for enthusiastic, collaborative scientists interested in both basic research and translating these findings to combating neglected tropical diseases. Write to Jordan D. Ward if interested: jward2@ucsc.edu

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