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Glossina Functional Genomics Network Programme

WHO TDR
SANBI

Sponsored by UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special

Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases

Organized by

South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI)

University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

on behalf of

The International Glossina Genome Initiative

Introduction:

During the past four years, the IGGI consortium has coordinated the production of genomic resources including 125000 mRNAs, six sequenced BACs, 38000 paired BAC ends and 3x coverage of the Glossina morsitans genome. Parallel to the ever-increasing genomic resources, the IGGI-driven bioinformatics training programme at SANBI has succeeded in training 75 students from the African continent and the completion of two annotation workshops. These resources together with the future availability of a sequenced tsetse genome in April 2010 has sparked the shift of the IGGI-driven training of African students to a model that requires a functional genomics network to exploit the Glossina genome data. Moreover, this approach would provide the opportunity to engage in novel ways to develop intervention strategies as currently spearheaded in laboratories represented by the IGGI consortium.

In 2009, we established a Glossina functional genomics network that provides a framework for research fellows, previously exposed to functional genomics activities, to receive short-term research exposure in laboratories from IGGI member institutions. The research fellows would receive follow up visits from and interaction with a coordinator from SANBI, who will monitor the research progress of specific tasks as identified as part of the strategic genomic goals for IGGI.

The objectives of the functional genomics network are:

  • To train researchers in functional genomics applied to insect vectors

in general, and to Glossinain particular through short-term attachment

to research laboratories mainly from IGGI members.

  • To organize the trainees in a network in which they would contribute

collectively and interactively to the generation and exploitation of

Glossina genome sequence data for the development of innovative vector

control tools and methods.

Framework for the Glossina Functional Genomics Network

In the first year of the Glossina functional genomics network, five candidates will receive research fellowships - each research fellow will spend a period of two months in an IGGI laboratory receiving hands-on training within the context of a predefined research project (see “Participating Laboratories” below).

The participating IGGI laboratories would identify mentors for the duration of the two-month fellowship, providing day-to-day support. Once a month for the duration of the two months, each research fellow would have to submit a report in writing to the laboratory mentor and the SANBI coordinator. The two-month fellowship will conclude with a written report documenting research results in a publication format i.e., abstract, introduction, methods, results and discussion.

A coordinator at SANBI will oversee the fellowship activities and provide the interface between research fellows and the IGGI executive committee to coordinate (a) travel itineraries for each research fellow, (b) follow-up tasks within the IGGI genomics activities, (c) establishment of a memorandum of understanding with research fellow home institution and (d) involvement of research fellows in presentations at IGGI networking meetings.

Participating IGGI consortium laboratories include:

  1. Aksoy Laboratory, Yale University, USA

Research theme: host-parasite interactions – immunity and population genetics

Research theme: host-parasite interactions

  1. Van Den Abbeele Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium

Research theme: Host-parasite interactions – salivary gland proteins

  1. Solano/Ravel Laboratory, Institut de recherche pour le développement, Montpellier, France

Research theme: Microsatellite genotyping

  1. Solano/deMeeus Laboratory, CIRDES Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Research theme: population genetic analyses

  1. Ouma Laboratory, Trypanosomiasis Research Centre, Kenya

Research theme: population genetics

  1. Malacrida Laboratory, University of Pavia, Italy

Research theme: chromosome analysis using in situ hybridization

  1. Masiga Laboratory, ICIPE, Kenya

Research theme: host-parasite interactions

  1. Inoue Laboratory, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan

Research theme: host-parasite interactions – adhesion and development of parasites

Eligibility:

PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and young faculty members at the beginning of their careers who are active in tsetse research, who can demonstrate clear ability to exploit post-genomics tools for their future research, are highly encouraged to apply for this mentoring programme.

Note:Preference will be given to those students who have previously participated in the IGGI sponsored workshops.

Criteria for Selection:

Five candidates will be selected from African countries endemic for trypanosomiasis, with the following selection criteria:

  • Good biochemistry and molecular biology background

  • Demonstrated computer skills, availability of computer resources

  • Involvement in tsetse/trypanosome research or evidence of proposed involvement

  • Demonstrated ability to apply the training skills for research in home institution

  • Availability during the first quarter of 2010.

  • Students providing a high quality, detailed, proposal of how an existing project could be made more effective as a result of strengthening their functional genomics skills will be given preference.

Application Procedure: (Deadline: 5 January 2010)

Application forms can be downloaded from here:

To apply please submit:

  1. Application Form:

  2. Letters of Recommendation:

Applicants should provide letters of recommendation from:

    1. Head of Department or

    2. An institutional representative to demonstrate that the institution supports the objectives of the training

 

Successful applicants will be notified by email on 15 January 2010

Successful applicants must confirm attendance by 1 February 2010

Further Information:

Alan Christoffels

SANBI

Cape Town, South Africa

Tel.: +27 21 959-3645, Fax: +27 21 959-2512

Email: alan@sanbi.ac.za