Un asesino silencioso en los Andes Ecuatorianos
La enfermedad de Chagas afecta a millones de personas, principalmente en América Latina, y es transmitida por artrópodos triatominos que se alimentan de sangre. Mi doctorado tuvo como objetivo comprender la dispersión entre triatominos domésticos y silvestres en una región del altiplano ecuatoriano. Utilizando una combinación de técnicas de genómica, aprendizaje automático y modelado estadístico, pude mostrar la dinámica de dispersión de triatominos en el área.
6/16/20242 min leer
Triatomine genomics and dispersal
The research project and main findings are described fully in here.
Chagas disease is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by blood sucking arthropods triatomines.
Data Collection and Preparation
In this project, I extracted DNA from triatomine specimens collected in the highlands in Ecuador. RADseq libraries were prepared and sent for sequencing to our collaborators in Sweden.
Data Analysis
After sequenced data was clean and loci assembled, I ran conventional genetic analysis to find genetic differentiation between triatomines collected inside or around houses with those in the wild. In turned out they were not very different which support frequent dispersal between domestic and wild ecotypes.
An important question about what makes some triatomine species to adapt to people houses was partially answered by identifying an unannotated region in triatomines genome associated to the domestic setting. Here I used machine learning, Random Forest, to classify those SNP closely related to domestic/wild ecotypes.
Finally, using a landscape genomic approach I used machine learning genetic algorithms to test different connectivity models and build a map with the probability of triatomine dispersal across this region.
Conclusion
Triatomines have adapted to thrive in different environments including people homes. Understanding the ecological and human factors driving their dispersal could aid local Chagas disease epidemiological control efforts. Currently, treatment options are very limited and vector control remains the most important option to reduce disease burden in most areas in Latin America.
This was a very satisfying project where I enjoy using a combination of genomics and advanced analytical techniques under the guidance of my amazing PhD supervisor Martin Llewellyn.
