SPPIRIT launch

The Moredun Research Institute, alongside the Universities of Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, have formed a new and exciting network, called Scottish Parasitology Partnership in Research, Innovation, and Training (SPPIRIT), to support Scotland’s eminent parasitology research.

Moredun Research Fellow and SPPIRIT committee member Dr David Smith highlights Scotland’s long contribution to parasitology, the platform this new network will offer to early career researchers and the success of the recent SPPIRIT launch event.

Scotland has a strong legacy as a worldclass place for parasitology research. Dr Patrick Manson is viewed as the “Father of Tropical Medicine and vector-borne disease” for his work on mosquito-transmitted filarial worms and gives his name to the human blood fluke and causative agent of one of the world’s major Neglected Tropical Diseases, Schistosoma mansoni. In addition, Dr Ronald Ross was the first British Nobel Laureate for his work on malaria transmission. Dr Muriel Robertson described the life cycle of trypanosomes, the causal agents of Sleeping Sickness and Chagas Disease. Dr William Leishman put his name to a related parasite of medical and veterinary importance, Leishmania, and Dr William Hutchison was the first British researcher to receive the Robert Koch medal, for his work on toxoplasmosis in which he discovered that felines were the definitive host of the parasite. Even though these examples of eminent parasitology research occurred as far back as the 1800s, the work continues.

Launch of the network in Glasgow.

In the more recent past, Scotland has produced such luminaries in veterinary parasitology as Sir James Armour and team at the Glasgow Vet School. Furthermore, Scotland has produced the only two antiworm vaccines in the world, namely Dictol for lungworm (Glasgow), and Barbervax for Haemonchus contortus, also known as the barber’s pole worm (Moredun).

Scotland’s historic and continued tradition as a global leader in parasitology is also supported by important infrastructure to accommodate this area of scientific research, being home to specialist long-standing research institutes dedicated to infectious disease research, such as The Moredun Research Institute and The Roslin Institute. In addition, there is a Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology in the west in Glasgow and a Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research in the east in Dundee, so the legacy continues.

Collectively, our parasitologists cover every aspect of parasitology research, from ecology and evolution, to molecular and cell biology, host-parasite interactions, therapeutic development, and disease diagnostics. We have researchers working on multicellular parasitic worms, ticks and mites, to those studying single-celled protozoan parasites which includes the parasites that cause malaria, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. We also span human, animal and plant parasites. You name it, it’s here.

Scotland is therefore an ideal base for parasitologists from different disciplines and backgrounds to network with one another. It is also important to maintain our strong reputation for parasitology research and to ensure the next generation of parasitologists are provided with suitable platforms that will facilitate networking between researchers and foster strategic collaborations. Hence “SPPIRIT”, a new parasitology network dedicated to Early Career Researchers (ECRs) based in Scotland has been established.

The aim of this network is to empower our ECRs through research and training events, access to networking platforms and resource provision to strengthen real collaboration. As mentioned above, Scotland is home to a wealth of experienced researchers and impressive facilities and to get the most out of these it is essential that they are linked up through an actively engaged network.

The SPPRIT launch event took place on Wednesday 30th March at the Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow and was attended by over 100 participants, predominantly ECRs. The day included a number of sessions, starting with what SPPIRIT is and the goals of the network. This was followed by talks from Heads of Departments at the different institutes, providing an overview of their department’s research strengths, facilities and how they support ECRs. This was followed by sessions specifically geared towards ECRs on applying for fellowships, initiating and sustaining collaborations and public engagement.

Overall, the launch event was a great success and most importantly fueled new interactions between enthusiastic researchers. The next SPPIRIT event will be a research symposium in which ECRs will have a platform to present their research to each other as independent researchers. It is anticipated that this will foster strategic collaborations between attendees and hopefully be the seed for new and potentially ground-breaking projects in parasitology that will propel the careers of impressive, talented early career parasitologists and ensure Scotland’s worldleading parasitology legacy continues.

Moredun scientists attending SPPIRIT.

The SPPIRIT Committee:

Dr David Smith at The Moredun Research Institute Dr Juan Quintana, Dr Rosalind Laing, Dr Andrew MacLean, Dr Matthew Sinton and Dr Lilach Sheiner at the University of Glasgow Dr Mattie Pawlowic, Dr Richard Wall and Dr Melanie Ridgway at the University of Dundee Dr Emma Briggs and Dr Sarah Reece at the University of Edinburgh