Research projects

Funds/Funders

Research Theme: Molecular epidemiology

Discovering emerging tick -borne pathogens impacting on human & animal health: a metagenomic approach

NRF

Vectors and vector-borne diseases in tropical and temperate environments

NRF

Molecular characterization of vaccine candidates from Anaplasma marginale strains in South Africa

Tshwane Animal Health Cluster C

Investigation of the T. parva proteome for possible host cell phenotype modulators

NRF CPRR

Population genetic structure and antigenic diversity of T. parva in cattle within the wildlife-livestock interface and in peri-urban areas

NRF-SA/KENYA and NRF-CPRR

An assessment of tick and tick-borne disease prevalence in a resource-poor area of South Africa (Mnisi community in Mpumalanga) and the impact of dipping strategy and acaricide resistance on endemic stability to tick-borne diseases

ITM -FAIII HWSETA

Molecular characterization of the Palyam serogroup orbiviruses

HWSeta, NRF

Molecular characterization of wildlife piroplasms (black-backed jackals and African wild dogs, black rhinos, wild felids), and microbiome studies in wild felids

NRF

Molecular characterisation of Babesia rossi from domestic dogs

NRF

Ehlrichia ruminantium

LEAP Agri

Acaricide resistance status of Rhipicephalus microplus and R. decolaratus to amitraz and deltamethrin in Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe

AgriSETA

Molecular investigation for acaricide resistance by Rhipicephalus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus microplus in Engcobo Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa

AgriSETA

Epidemiological dynamics of Rift Valley fever virus in southern Africa

CDC, GDD & Cape Wools SA

Tick-borne disease dynamics in calves at the wildlife-livestock interface in the Mnisi Community Programme (MCP) area, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

NRF, AgriSETA, ITM FA4

Research Theme: Diagnostics and Control

Development and Validation of real time PCR and xMAP assay to differentiate Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. in dogs

NRF incentive funding, UP, ITM

Assay development  (qPCR and Luminex) for Babesia bovis, A marginale/centrale, E. ruminantium

NRF incentive funding, UP, ITM

Optimization and validation of real-time PCRs for B. rossi and B. vogeli

NRF incentive funding, UP, ITM

Reverse Vaccinology: Genome-wide screening for identification of novel potential vaccine candidates against T. parva

NRF-BFG

Development of BTV vaccine

TIA

Research Theme: Zoonosis

Zoonotic tick-borne pathogens as a cause of acute febrile illness in South Africa

DGD (Belgian Development Corporation)

Investigating Rickettsia africae infection in Amblyomma hebraeum ticks of Mnisi, Bushbuckridge Municipality, South Africa

ITM FA4

Detection of veterinary and zoonotic pathogens in wildlife, livestock and vectors, using Luminex to detect and identify amplicons from multiplexed generic viral PCR

Kansas State University

The pathology of Rift Valley fever in sheep and cattle

AgriSETA

Unravelling the dynamics of Toxoplasmosis in mammals in the Mnisi Community, South Africa

ITM FA4

Other

Genetic origin of phenotypic changes in African horse sickness virus

ECSP (Economic Competitiveness Support Package)

Overwintering of African horse sickness virus in Culicoides species

ARC