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The deadline for the new call to ANTI-VeC members to undertake a survey of Microsporidia MB diversity and prevalence in An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus populations across Africa is Wednesday 31st March. Apply now.
- Applications must be led by an African-based Principal Investigator with a contract that lasts at least up to the proposed end date of the project.
- Early Career Researchers are encouraged to apply.
- Co-Investigators are not required to be Africa-based.
Awards will be up to the maximum value of £40,000, and will be up to 12 months in duration. Funding for this call has been made available by the Open Philanthropy Project.
Timescales
- Application deadline: 31st March 2021
- Application outcome: 30th April 2021
African Anopheles Symbiont Survey – Call Summary
The discovery of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles arabiensis / gambiae, and that these symbionts can completely block transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, provides opportunities for developing novel integrated malaria control approaches.
The available funding is for research teams to undertake a survey of Microsporidia MB diversity and prevalence in An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus populations across Africa. For this purpose small grants will be awarded for screening Anopheles colonies and field-collected samples (both larvae and adults) using PCR/qPCR assays for Microsporidia MB, using standardised methodologies. Collections at regular intervals would cover at least two seasons and different larval site ecotypes, with temperature and rainfall to be recorded from collection sites.
Microsporidia MB strain diversity patterns will then be determined by genome sequencing at KEMRI-Wellcome in Kenya (the costs of which will be covered separately). Genome analysis training will be available for participants if needed. In addition to the investigation of Microsporidia MB prevalence and diversity, applicants may propose additional experiments investigating the biology of Microsporidia MB.
Areas of potential interest include (but are not limited to);
a) Colonization of lines potentially novel Microsporidia MB strains to confirm vertical transmission and / or other characteristics.
b) Interactions with other symbionts (e.g. Wolbachia) or intestinal microbiome
The call is open to ANTI-VeC members who meet the application eligibility criteria. Projects could begin as early as the upcoming mosquito collecting season in parts of Africa, if due diligence and contracts are completed in time. However, they can be proposed to begin much later.
If you are not already a member, please sign up via our website.
For more information and to download an application form please visit the call on our website.
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