St. Louis MOhttp://actu.im.wustl.edu/CROI_2013.pdf
My research uses next-generation genomic and com-putational approaches to study neglected tropical
diseases (NTDs). Approximately 85% of the world’s NTD burden results from helminthic infections such as filariasis, schistosomiasis, and intestinal nematode infections that are highly endemic in the developing world.
Drug discovery: One focus of my research is to attempt to repurpose currently approved drugs that could serve as a shortcut to develop affordable new treatments for worm infections. In this work, we use ‘omics’ data (genome, tran-scriptome, proteome, interactome, etc.) to identify new tar-gets and drugs that act differently from currently available anti-parasitic drugs. For example, a recent study explored protein kinases as potential targets, because many currently approved drugs target this class of targets, which regulate
many cellular processes. We used bioinformatics methods to identify protein kinases that are conserved across the phylum Nematoda and to select compounds that might be active against these targets and parasitic worms. Subsequent laboratory studies showed that these predictions were correct in a high percentage of cases. This work has recently been published in PLoS Pathog. 2013 Feb;9(2):e1003149. PMID:23459584
Genome variation and drug resistance: Most reference genomes available for parasitic worms are derived from inbred laboratory strains, and there is almost no information available on genomic variation in natural populations. Therefore, we recently started a project to conduct whole genome shotgun sequencing of clinical isolates from differ-ent geographic regions with a special emphasis on samples from areas where mass drug administration is being used to control these infections. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Professor Gary Weil’s group (also in the Infectious Diseases Division at Washington University). Sequence data generated from clinical isolates is expected to improve the molecular profiling of human helminthiasis and identify genetic markers to monitor the development and spread of resistance to antiparasitic drugs.
Microbiomes and intestinal worms: Soil-transmitted helminths (Ascaris, whipworm, and hookworm) live in the gut together with bacteria and other microorganisms. We are studying interactions between the intestinal flora (bacteria) and fauna (parasites) by char-acterizing the gut microbiomes of humans infected with one or more soil-transmitted helminth species before and after treatment that cures the worm infections. This work is using metagenomic approaches that we have developed for other microbiome projects
Infect iousDiseasesD I V I S I O N N E W S L E T T E R
660 South Eucl id Ave. • Campus Box 8051 • St . Louis , MO 63110 314.454.8354 • http:// id. im.wust l .edu
P. falciparum sporozoite in a mosquito midgut
M a r c h 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 • V o l u m e 8 , I s s u e 1
Genomics Empower Research on Neglected
Tropical Diseases Makedonka Mitreva, PhDFeature Article ..................................page 1Genomics Empower Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases Makedonka Mitreva, Ph.D.
Featured Colleague ...........................page 2 Samuel J. McConkey, M.D.
Global Health and Infectious Disease Conference .......................................page 4
IN THIS ISSUE
ID NEWS & NOTES
We are interested in your achievements, clinical and/or research activities, and other personal news since leaving WUSM. Please contact Dr. Gerald Medoff at [email protected] with any information you would like to share.All division newsletters can be found at: ID Division Newsletters
Makedonka Mitreva, PhDAssistant Professor of Medicine
Washington University School of MedicineEric P. Newman Education Center Auditorium (EPNEC)
POSTER SESSION, Atrium/Lobby, EPNEC
Edward J. Pearce, PhDProfessor, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
Christopher L. Karp, MDDeputy Director, Vaccines & Host-Pathogen Biology, Global Health Discovery & Translational Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WATranslational Vaccinology for Global Health
David Wang, PhDAssociate Professor, Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. LouisDiscovery and Characterization of Novel Viruses
J.S. Malik Peiris, MD, DPhil, FRCPathChair in Virology, Professor, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong KongEmerging Viral Diseases: The Asian Experience
Amanda L. Lewis, PhDAssistant Professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
Peter J. Brown, PhDProfessor, Departments of Anthropology and Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GACulture, Economy and Infectious Disease: Five Lessons from Medical Anthropology
Shanti A. Parikh, PhDAssociate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis‘He Died Like Thunder’: HIV Death, Rumors of Resistance, and the Ethics of Antiretroviral Therapy in Developing Countries
Thomas C. Quinn, MDProfessor of Medicine and Pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Associate Director of International Research at NIAID, NIH, and Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health, Baltimore, MD The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic: Progress and Challenges in Achieving an AIDS Free Generation
William G. Powderly, MDGlobal Health Beyond Infectious Diseases
RECEPTION, Atrium/Lobby, EPNEC
1:00–1:50
1:50–2:00
2:00–2:30
2:30–3:00
3:00–3:30
3:45–3:55
3:55–4:25
4:25–4:55
4:55–5:25
5:25–5:40
5:40–6:30
Larry J. Shapiro, MDVice Chancellor for Medical Affairs, Washington University in St. Louis and Dean, Washington University School of MedicineWelcome
Edward F. Lawlor, PhDDirector, Institute for Public Health, Dean and William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. LouisOverview of the Institute for Public Health
William G. Powderly, MDJ. William Campbell Professor of Medicine, Deputy Director, Institute for Public Health, and Co-Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. LouisOverview of the Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease
Victoria J. Fraser, MDAdolphus Busch Professor of Medicine and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
David H. Molyneux, MA, PhD, DSEmeritus Professor and Senior Professorial Fellow, Tropical Health Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UKNeglected Tropical Diseases, Poverty and the Global Health Agenda: Progress and Challenges
David C. Kaslow, MDDirector, PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DCStrategic Approaches to Malaria Vaccine Development Using the Retrospectroscope
Gary J. Weil, MDProfessor, Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. LouisGlobal Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis: A Work in Progress
Stephen M. Beverley, PhDMarvin A. Brennecke Professor and Chairman, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
William A. Petri, Jr., MD, PhDProfessor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VAA Polymorphism in the Leptin Receptor Influences Susceptibility to Amebiasis
Shabaana A. Khader, PhDAssistant Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PAT Helper Cell Pathways in Tuberculosis: All Roads Lead to Rome?
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MDDr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor and Director, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. LouisDining In with Trillions of Fascinating Friends: Exploring our Human Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease
8:30–8:45
9:45–10:15
10:35–10:45
10:45–11:15
11:15–11:45
11:45–12:15
8:45–9:15
9:15–9:45
Morning Program Afternoon Program
Global Health and Infectious Disease ConferenceTropical and Geographical Diseases
Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease (CGHID)
For more information, registration or poster presentation, please visit: http://cghid.wustl.edu or contact: [email protected]
Friday, April 12, 2013, 8:30 am - 6:30 pmWashington University
School of Medicine Eric P. Newman Education Center
I did an Infectious Diseases fellowship at Wash-ington University School of Medicine from July
1997 - August 2000. I also took classes leading to a Master in Statistics degree with Drs. Sawyer and Spitznagel on the Danforth campus, and a series of research projects about tuberculosis with Drs. Tom Bailey and Gary Weil. We compared rapid typing of mycobacteria, which I did in Little Rock Arkansas, to traditional shoe-leather-epi-demiology to detect clusters of linked cases. We evaluated a marketed rapid diagnostic test for se-rodiagnosis, in Cairo, Egypt, not Cairo, Illinois, and in St Louis cases, and showed that it was poor, no better than Mantoux tests, when compared to culture as the gold standard. I did a geocoding and TB mapping project, and developed a spatial statistical method to cope with auto-correlated data. I went to St. Louis University and learned about the vaccine research there, and overall learned a great deal in St Louis about clinical research which has been the basis on which my career rests.Since then I’ve worked in Oxford, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Vietnam, and more recently in Dublin, in research, clinical and teaching positions. I have designed and ran many trials of new vaccines against malaria and for HBV therapy, using Wellcome Trust and UK’s Medical Research Council funding. Recently I completed the first recent Phase I trial of new vaccines in Ireland funded by the European Vac-cine Initiative. I have set up the national malaria surveillance system in Gambia, with Irish Aid
2 • I nfec t ious Diseases Div is ion Newsletter March/2013
FEATURED COLLEAGUE
Samuel J. McConkey, M.D.Associate Professor of Medicine
continued next column
Samuel J. McConkey, M.D. continued from left column
(e.g. PMID:22719831, PMID:22719234, PMID:22965653). Preliminary studies have identified associations between microbiome profiles and Ascaris infection. This work is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Peter Fischer in the Infectious Diseases Division and Dr. George Weinstock at The Genome Institute at Washington University.
I am pleased to be one of the first members of The Genome Institute to have a primary faculty appointment in a clinical department (the Infectious Diseases Divi-sion in the Department of Medicine). The common theme of the projects outlined above is that we are attempting to translate basic science advances in genomics into practical knowledge that may help to control or eliminate infectious diseases. While my research now focuses on parasitic worms, applied genomics is broadly applicable in infectious diseases, and we expect to work on a broad range of pathogens in the future.
Genomics Empower Research continued
funding. The National AIDS Secretariat in Gambia asked me to write the plan for the HIV treatment programme there, and to draft their successful Global Fund grant application which led to widespread modern ARV treatment in Gambia. Working with a big team and government were challenging, but very rewarding.
More recently I’ve been asked by the minister of Health in Ireland to be on the board of our national health regulator – HIQA, and I have been invited to be on several Scientific Advisory Boards, for our Health Protection and Surveillance Centre, and two European research funding bodies – Transvac, and the European Vaccine Initiative. I’ve done a lot of peer reviewing of research proposals in developing countries.
Clinical workload in Ireland is very high, so I personally care for over 600 people living with HIV, a similar number of people with HCV, about 300 with HBV, and 25 newly diagnosed people with tuberculosis annually. While busy, I enjoy medicine immensely.
Ben, our son, is growing up, playing rugby, field hockey and basketball in school. Mary, his mother, has worked in Gambia and Ireland in clinical research nursing, monitoring, and auditing clinical trials. We both enjoy parenting.I enjoy regular sailing on Dublin Bay, and welcome visitors both to see us in Dublin, and to sail.
Congratulations . . . Uzoamaka Eke, M.D., Instructor in Medicine, and her husband, Ahizechukwu Eke, M.D., an OB/GYN Resident, welcomed twin girls, Akachi & Amara, on December 12, 2012.
Thank you...We thank Dr. Lawrence Gelb, Catherine A. Williamson, MSN, FNP and her parents Dr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Williamson, and Linda Ulery for their generous contributions to the Infectious Diseases Division.
To support the research, education and activities of the Infectious Diseases Division, please contact:
Dan KorteDivision Administrator, Infectious Diseases Division
Campus Box 8051, 660 S. Euclid Ave.St. Louis, MO 63110
I nfec t ious Diseases Div is ion Newsletter March/2013 • 3
RECENT AWARDSPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AWARD PROJEC T TITLE
Jacco Boon, Ph.D. Midwest Regional Center of Excel-lence Developmental Program Grant The role of IFIT1 in Influenza Virus Pathogenesis
Daniel Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant Target Discovery for Antimalarials
Erik Dubberke, M.D., MSPH Sanofi PasteurEpidemiology, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Clostridium difficile Infection in Medicare and Hospitalized Patients
Michael Lane, M.D., MSC Barnes Jewish Hospital-Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences
Improving Safety and Outcomes of Outpatient Parentaral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT)
Bernard Camins, M.D., MSCR Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Needleless Connectors to Prevent Bloodstream Infections in Hemodialysis
special recognition
Michael Lane, MD, has been named the patient safety officer for the Department of Medicine. The position is new for the department, and in this role, Lane will oversee and coordinate safety efforts to help improve health-care outcomes.
Lane, an assistant professor of medicine and an infectious diseases physician, has special ex-pertise and training in patient safety and quality improvement. He is a former recipient of the Goldfarb Patient Safety and Quality Fellowship at the School of Medicine and a Comparative Effectiveness Research Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health.
CROI 2013 UPDATES Optimal Management of HIV Disease and Hepatitis
7:30 HPV Anal Disease in HIV Positive Populations Gary Bucher, M.D.
Medical Director Anal Dysplasia Clinic MidWest, Chicago, IL & St. Louis, MO
ThursdayMay 2, 2013
Engineer’s Club of St. Louis4359 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri
Presented byThe AIDS Clinical Trials UnitInfectious Diseases DivisionDepartment of Internal MedicineMidwest AIDS Training & Education Center
Co-sponsored bySt. Louis STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
5:15 pm Registration Reception (Meet & Greet) 6:00 Dinner/Program Commences/Welcome/Pre-test* Chair: David Clifford, M.D. Melba and Forest Seay Professor of Clinical Neuropharmacology in Neurology Washington Univeristy School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
6:15 Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in HIV Infected Persons Todd Hulgan, M.D., M.P.H. Associate Professor of Medicine Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville TN
7:00 Aging with HIV Infection William G. Powderly, M.D. J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine Co-director, Infectious Diseases Division Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
8:00 Break with Exhibitors8:10 Emerging Agents for Treatment of Hepatitis C
Diana Nurutdinova, M.D. Lead HIV Clinician at John Cochran VA Medical Center Assistant Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
8:40 Update of HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) Beau Ances, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Neurology Department of Neurology Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
9:10 Post Test*- Apply what you have learned! *ARS
4 • I nfec t ious Diseases Div is ion Newsletter March/2013
2013 CGHID CONFERENCE
Friday, April 12, 2013, 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
Washington University School of MedicineEric P. Newman Education Center Auditorium (EPNEC)
POSTER SESSION, Atrium/Lobby, EPNEC
Edward J. Pearce, PhDProfessor, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
Christopher L. Karp, MDDeputy Director, Vaccines & Host-Pathogen Biology, Global Health Discovery & Translational Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WATranslational Vaccinology for Global Health
David Wang, PhDAssociate Professor, Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. LouisDiscovery and Characterization of Novel Viruses
J.S. Malik Peiris, MD, DPhil, FRCPathChair in Virology, Professor, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong KongEmerging Viral Diseases: The Asian Experience
Amanda L. Lewis, PhDAssistant Professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
Peter J. Brown, PhDProfessor, Departments of Anthropology and Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GACulture, Economy and Infectious Disease: Five Lessons from Medical Anthropology
Shanti A. Parikh, PhDAssociate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis‘He Died Like Thunder’: HIV Death, Rumors of Resistance, and the Ethics of Antiretroviral Therapy in Developing Countries
Thomas C. Quinn, MDProfessor of Medicine and Pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Associate Director of International Research at NIAID, NIH, and Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health, Baltimore, MD The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic: Progress and Challenges in Achieving an AIDS Free Generation
William G. Powderly, MDGlobal Health Beyond Infectious Diseases
RECEPTION, Atrium/Lobby, EPNEC
1:00–1:50
1:50–2:00
2:00–2:30
2:30–3:00
3:00–3:30
3:45–3:55
3:55–4:25
4:25–4:55
4:55–5:25
5:25–5:40
5:40–6:30
Larry J. Shapiro, MDVice Chancellor for Medical Affairs, Washington University in St. Louis and Dean, Washington University School of MedicineWelcome
Edward F. Lawlor, PhDDirector, Institute for Public Health, Dean and William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. LouisOverview of the Institute for Public Health
William G. Powderly, MDJ. William Campbell Professor of Medicine, Deputy Director, Institute for Public Health, and Co-Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. LouisOverview of the Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease
Victoria J. Fraser, MDAdolphus Busch Professor of Medicine and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
David H. Molyneux, MA, PhD, DSEmeritus Professor and Senior Professorial Fellow, Tropical Health Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UKNeglected Tropical Diseases, Poverty and the Global Health Agenda: Progress and Challenges
David C. Kaslow, MDDirector, PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DCStrategic Approaches to Malaria Vaccine Development Using the Retrospectroscope
Gary J. Weil, MDProfessor, Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. LouisGlobal Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis: A Work in Progress
Stephen M. Beverley, PhDMarvin A. Brennecke Professor and Chairman, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. LouisIntroduction of Speakers
William A. Petri, Jr., MD, PhDProfessor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VAA Polymorphism in the Leptin Receptor Influences Susceptibility to Amebiasis
Shabaana A. Khader, PhDAssistant Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PAT Helper Cell Pathways in Tuberculosis: All Roads Lead to Rome?
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MDDr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor and Director, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. LouisDining In with Trillions of Fascinating Friends: Exploring our Human Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease
8:30–8:45
9:45–10:15
10:35–10:45
10:45–11:15
11:15–11:45
11:45–12:15
8:45–9:15
9:15–9:45
Morning Program Afternoon Program
Global Health and Infectious Disease ConferenceTropical and Geographical Diseases
Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease (CGHID)
For more information, registration or poster presentation, please visit: http://cghid.wustl.edu or contact: [email protected]
