Serap Aksoy, Ph.D.
Professor and Head,
Division of Epidemiology of Microbial
Diseases
Laboratory Web page
Dr. Aksoy's research aims to understand the biology of host-pathogen interactions; in particular in tsetse flies, which transmit African trypanosomes and harbor multiple symbiotic microbes. Basic studies focus on the immune aspects of trypanosome transmission in tsetse, while the applied studies aim to harness this information to develop biologically sound and novel disease control strategies to interrupt parasite development in the tsetse vector.
A second area of research focuses on the molecular and evolutionary basis of symbiosis. The biology of each tsetse symbiont is characterized using biochemical, genomic, genetic, cellular and molecular techniques to understand their functional significance in the context of host ecology.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Ph.D., Columbia University, 1982
Awards and Honors
Ambross Monell Foundation, 2006
Robert Leet and Clara Gutherie Patterson Trust Award, 2000
Culpeper Foundation Biomedical Initiative Award, 1998
Columbia University Graduate Scholar Award, 1978-1982
National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Undergraduate Research, 1977
In the News
Sequencing genome of bacteria that lives off fly may lead to new clues about disease
Genetic Clues to Sodalis Deepens Knowledge of Bacterial Diseases
Professional Services
Director, International Glossina Genome Initiative, World Health Organization (WHO)/ The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
Chair, Innovative Vector Control Program, WHO/TDR
Editor-in-Chief, PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Editorial Board, Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Member, NIH Study Section Vector Biology, 2008-2012
Selected Publications
Hu, C., R. V. Rio, J. Medlock, L. R. Haines, D. Nayduch et al., 2008 Infections with immunogenic trypanosomes reduce tsetse reproductive fitness: potential impact of different parasite strains on vector population structure. Plos Negl Trop Dis 2: e192.
Pais, R., C. Lohs, Y. Wu, J. Wang and S. Aksoy, 2008 The obligate mutualist Wigglesworthia glossinidia influences reproduction, digestion, and immunity processes of its host, the tsetse fly. Appl Environ Microbiol 74: 5965-5974.
Weiss, B. L., Y. Wu, J. J. Schwank, N. S. Tolwinski and S. Aksoy, 2008 An insect symbiosis is influenced by bacterium-specific polymorphisms in outer-membrane protein A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105: 15088-15093.
Rio, R. V., Y. N. Wu, G. Filardo and S. Aksoy, 2006 Dynamics of multiple symbiont density regulation during host development: tsetse fly and its microbial flora. Proc Biol Sci 273: 805-814.
Toh, H., B. L. Weiss, S. A. Perkin, A. Yamashita, K. Oshima et al., 2006 Massive genome erosion and functional adaptations provide insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of Sodalis glossinidius in the tsetse host. Genome Res 16: 149-156.
Akman, L., A. Yamashita, H. Watanabe, K. Oshima, T. Shiba et al., 2002 Genome sequence of the endocellular obligate symbiont of tsetse flies, Wigglesworthia glossinidia. Nature Genetics 32: 402-407.
For a further list of Dr. Aksoy’s publications, please see PubMed. |
