2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Elucidating transmission dynamics for soil-transmitted helminths based on environmental DNA analysis
| Project/Area Number |
21K12269
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| Research Institution | Dokkyo Medical University |
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Principal Investigator |
オオタケサトウ マルセロ 獨協医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (50771896)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
迫 康仁 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (40312459)
サトウ 恵 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 准教授 (70601813)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | Ecohealth / One-health / environmental DNA / STH / qPCR |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Goal: Improvement of soil transmitted helminths-specific DNA detection method.
The analyses of DNA sequences of the parasite species causing STH retrieved from the database allowed us to develop suitable probes for STH detection.
We designed the environmental DNA detection assay for soil samples, using mitochondrial COX1 gene. The specific sets of primers and probes were designed within an expected short length of the amplified DNA (about 100 to 200 bp).
Tests using DNA extracted from adult worms (target and non-target) showed the assays are suitable with a high specificity. However, it needs improvement on the sensitivity, for detection of small quantities of target DNA usually found eDNA.
We are now working on a new technique based in multi-probe detection which increases the sensitivity of the assay without loss in specificity (as reported by our group in detection of Opisthorchis viverrini in eDNA from water samples).
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The project is progressing smoothly at the laboratory, however we still are experiencing delay in field samples.
Regarding the developed assays, we think we can increase the sensitivity of the technique using a multi-probe system, and we are on the way to standardize and test the assay using soil samples.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
We are looking forward to standardize the multi-probe detection assay and apply it to eDNA extracted from soil samples from the field.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The reason for the incurring amount to be used next fiscal year is basically the travel restrictions occurred due the COVID19 pandemics.
We hope to use the expected amount for the postponed field surveys, improvement of laboratory assays, attend international meetings, and use it for cover publication fees.
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