Investigating the genetics and genomics of antiparasitic drug responses in a poultry model of ascariasis

Summary

This project aims to identify genetic variants associated with benzimidazole (BZ) resistance in ascarids, using a poultry model (Ascaridia dissimilis) to develop diagnostics and improve treatment programs for human Ascaris lumbricoides infections.

What they want

The project will establish Ascaridia dissimilis as a new model system to study BZ resistance in human ascarids. Aim 1 involves creating high-quality reference genomes for sensitive and resistant A. dissimilis isolates to analyze known resistance-associated genes and enable future genome-wide mapping. Aim 2 will use genetic crosses and BZ selection to create recombinant isolates with BZ resistance-associated loci in a susceptible background, followed by backcrossing and bulk-segregant analysis to identify BZ resistance loci.

Deliverables

High-quality reference genomes for sensitive and resistant A. dissimilis isolates
Identification of genetic variants associated with BZ resistance in ascarids
Recombinant isolates with BZ resistance associated loci
Identification of BZ resistance loci
Diagnostics for BZ resistance in ascarids
Improved treatment programs to control human infections

Technical requirements

Use of Ascaridia dissimilis as a model system
Genetic crosses
Benzimidazole (BZ) selection
Bulk-segregant analysis
Genome sequencing/assembly for reference genomes
Analysis of known resistance-associated genes