Background
Recently, mosquito microbiota has been linked to insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes which are major vectors of malaria. This further sparks our focus on the microbiota as a potential system for reducing the fitness of mosquitoes, disrupting the development and transmission of parasites and enhancing susceptibility to existing insecticides. To fully exploit these bacteria through an understanding of their impact on mosquito traits and validate the genetic pathways involved in the interactions, investigators require skills in (i) bioinformatic analysis of microbiome data, (ii) microbiota manipulation and (iii) gene expression silencing.
Purpose
The Mosquito Microbiome Consortium (https://mosquito-microbiome.org/) in collaboration with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Tropicales Infectious Diseases Research Center, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin, Center for Global Health Research – Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya, and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France is organizing a research summer school in mosquito microbiome wet lab skills and microbiome bioinformatic analyses.
This summer school combines lectures and practical hands-on methods for RNA-interference (RNAi) and bioinformatics for analysing microbiome data.
Target
The workshop is aimed at entomologists with at least a Master’s degree, who are interested in learning how to:
i. design double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to target genes of interest,
ii. silence genes in mosquitoes using RNAi,
iii. analyze microbiome data (community structure).
Duration
2 weeks
Location
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra.
Date
20th July – 3rd August 2024
Facilitators
Dr. Jewelna E.B. Akorli (Senior Research Fellow)
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research,
University of Ghana, Accra
Dr. Minard Guillaume (Associate Professor)
Laboratory of Microbial Ecology,
University of Lyon, France
Mr. Maxime Girard (PhD candidate)
Laboratory of Microbial Ecology,
University of Lyon, France
Miss Esinam Abla Akorli (Principal Research Assistant)
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research,
University of Ghana, Accra
How to apply
Prerequisites:
· Applicants must hold a least a Master’s degree in a field relevant to the subject of the summer school.
· Being familiar with UNIX language and statistical analysis is an advantage but not mandatory.
Applying:
Interested person should apply completing the online application form(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1g4RL0ViQyulNal89fvEC-LPXTl6MauMpp4LJQf1Y30V6fA/viewform?usp=pp_url)
Please note: Applications must be supported by a recommendation from a senior researcher (e.g. supervisor, or head of department). A request will be sent to your nominated referee. Applicants must ensure that their referee provides their recommendation by the application deadline. Applications without a letter of recommendation will not considered.
Application deadline: 22nd March 2024
Financial Assistance
Limited funds are available to cover travel, visa costs, accommodation, subsistence.