New objectives of the ISP unit at INRAE Nouzilly, on animal parasitic arthropods | Nouveaux objectifs de l'unité ISP, INRAE de Nouzilly, sur les arthropodes parasites d'animaux

International audience

anglais. The Joint Infectiology and Public Health Research Unit (UMR ISP) aims to combat infectious diseases in livestock and humans. Integrated into the "One Health" concept, it brings together teams specialized in infectious pathologies involving - viruses, bacteria, parasites at the interface between humans, animals and the environment. ISP thus offers expertise and innovative tools to prevent and cure diseases by limiting the use of xenobiotics. Among the pathogens studied within ISP, arthropods and in particular insects are of major and growing interest. These pests for humans, animals and crops, in addition to the direct damage they cause through their parasitic way of life, are also vectors of serious diseases such as malaria. Characterized by exceptional prolificacy and ability to disperse, they prove extremely difficult to combat. In addition, the development of resistance to practically all the active molecules available on the market requires the implementation of new control strategies. ISP and in particular the Multiresistance and Pathogenic Power of Nematodes (MPN) team focuses its research on the identification of new pharmaceutical targets in nematodes and arthropods (insects and mites). It recently strengthened its staff with the recruitment of a Research Officer, Fotini Koutroumpa, specialized in insects and in particular in the receptors (ion channels) involved in the chemoreception of insects. The remarkable diversity of ion channels (neural proteins), in physiological functions as diverse and essential for survival as locomotion, food intake, recognition of host and sexual partners, defecation and excretion/secretion of immunomodulators, places them as privileged targets to be explored in the development of alternative and effective control methods. The MPN team specializes in studying the specificity of the drug-ion channel couple with the aim of avoiding the development of resistance while promoting more effective long-term targeted treatments. Finally, the team's interest in the sensory system of parasites and their chemical ecology also opens up other perspectives for control, such as the design of new traps based on the senses (smell, vision, taste). Fotini Koutroumpa will be responsible for strengthening and perpetuating research activities on insects within the team and the unit as well as comparative studies between the different parasites (nematodes/arthropods) with the aim of developing strategies specific treatments that are more respectful of the environment.