Ongoing Projects & Interests:
Dynamics of bacterial pathogen transmission by urban insects
Urban insects transmit multiple bacterial pathogens to humans. Most of these are understudied and we are working to understand the fundamental mechanisms that underlie bacterial pathogen transmission by several of these insects, along with the factors that affect it. Our current focus is on the transmission of enteric bacteria such as Salmonella by cockroaches and the transmission of the neglected relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentis) and trench fever (Bartonella quintana) agents by body lice. By better understanding the process of bacterial pathogen transmission at a fundamental level, we aim to uncover new ways to block this process.
Urban insects transmit multiple bacterial pathogens to humans. Most of these are understudied and we are working to understand the fundamental mechanisms that underlie bacterial pathogen transmission by several of these insects, along with the factors that affect it. Our current focus is on the transmission of enteric bacteria such as Salmonella by cockroaches and the transmission of the neglected relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentis) and trench fever (Bartonella quintana) agents by body lice. By better understanding the process of bacterial pathogen transmission at a fundamental level, we aim to uncover new ways to block this process.
The role of the gut microbiota in urban insect physiology
Symbiotic bacteria can play diverse roles in the physiology of the insect hosts they reside within, influencing numerous important processes . We are currently working to understand how the gut microbiota of cockroaches affects their life history and pathogen transmission capacity in order to contribute to the development of novel approaches for the control of these insects and the transmission of associated pathogens centered around targeting their gut microbial communities.
Symbiotic bacteria can play diverse roles in the physiology of the insect hosts they reside within, influencing numerous important processes . We are currently working to understand how the gut microbiota of cockroaches affects their life history and pathogen transmission capacity in order to contribute to the development of novel approaches for the control of these insects and the transmission of associated pathogens centered around targeting their gut microbial communities.
Surveillance for emerging human pathogens in urban arthopod pests
The transmission of a human pathogen by an arthropod vector is a complex process that depends not only on the intrinsic biology of the vector, but also extrinsic factors such as the environment. While a great number of significant vector-pathogen relationships are well-established, many others remain suspected, unconfirmed, or entirely undiscovered. Such associations could nonetheless contribute to stochastic cases of disease and/or pose future (emerging) threats to human health. We are currently working to monitor for and identify pathogenic microbes harbored by pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs, and mites in urban environments. This work includes both field and laboratory studies to determine the potential biological and ecological relevance of associations of interest and aims to provide proactive knowledge to inform the prevention of emerging vector-borne infections.
The transmission of a human pathogen by an arthropod vector is a complex process that depends not only on the intrinsic biology of the vector, but also extrinsic factors such as the environment. While a great number of significant vector-pathogen relationships are well-established, many others remain suspected, unconfirmed, or entirely undiscovered. Such associations could nonetheless contribute to stochastic cases of disease and/or pose future (emerging) threats to human health. We are currently working to monitor for and identify pathogenic microbes harbored by pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs, and mites in urban environments. This work includes both field and laboratory studies to determine the potential biological and ecological relevance of associations of interest and aims to provide proactive knowledge to inform the prevention of emerging vector-borne infections.
Development of biological control using entomopathogens
Insecticidal control of pests is one approach to directly mitigate some of their detrimental effects on health. However, resistance to chemical insecticides is becoming widespread among many pest species and chemical insecticides also pose their own environmental and health hazards. Thus, there is a need for novel non-chemical methods to effectively control insecticide resistant pests. Currently, we are investigating the use of bacterial entomopathogens as biological control agents against bed bugs and cockroaches. We are taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the interplay between bacterial factors, insect immunity, and environmental parameters in regulating entomopathogen virulence to these pests in order to optimize effective biological control formulations that could be deployed in the field. This work will also provide foundational knowledge of insect innate immunity with implications for controlling vector-borne pathogen transmission and protecting beneficial insects.
Insecticidal control of pests is one approach to directly mitigate some of their detrimental effects on health. However, resistance to chemical insecticides is becoming widespread among many pest species and chemical insecticides also pose their own environmental and health hazards. Thus, there is a need for novel non-chemical methods to effectively control insecticide resistant pests. Currently, we are investigating the use of bacterial entomopathogens as biological control agents against bed bugs and cockroaches. We are taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the interplay between bacterial factors, insect immunity, and environmental parameters in regulating entomopathogen virulence to these pests in order to optimize effective biological control formulations that could be deployed in the field. This work will also provide foundational knowledge of insect innate immunity with implications for controlling vector-borne pathogen transmission and protecting beneficial insects.
Funding:
"Biological vector borne transmission of Salmonella by cockroaches"
NIH/NIAID R01 Research Project Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2022-2027)
“Assessing the risk of emerging infectious disease transmission by bed bugs”
US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2022-2025)
“Development of bacterial biological control tools for bed bugs”
US Department of Defense, Armed Forces Pest Management Board, Deployed Warfighter Protection Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2019-2023)
“Antibacterial nanoparticles as insecticide synergists and insect growth regulators for improved control of cockroach infestations”
NIH/NIAID R41 Small Business Technology Transfer Grant
PI: Jose Pietri (2021-2023)
“Prediction of protein structure and function to identify novel mechanisms of resistance to vector-borne pathogens in insects”
CRA/CCC/NSF Computing Innovation Fellowship
PI: Vince Peta (2021-2023)
“Pathogen surveillance and discovery in ticks from South Dakota”
Lyme Disease Association Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2020-2021)
“Developmental priming of immunity in the mosquito Culex tarsalis”
South Dakota Board of Regents Competitive Research Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2020-2021)
NIH/NIAID R01 Research Project Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2022-2027)
“Assessing the risk of emerging infectious disease transmission by bed bugs”
US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2022-2025)
“Development of bacterial biological control tools for bed bugs”
US Department of Defense, Armed Forces Pest Management Board, Deployed Warfighter Protection Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2019-2023)
“Antibacterial nanoparticles as insecticide synergists and insect growth regulators for improved control of cockroach infestations”
NIH/NIAID R41 Small Business Technology Transfer Grant
PI: Jose Pietri (2021-2023)
“Prediction of protein structure and function to identify novel mechanisms of resistance to vector-borne pathogens in insects”
CRA/CCC/NSF Computing Innovation Fellowship
PI: Vince Peta (2021-2023)
“Pathogen surveillance and discovery in ticks from South Dakota”
Lyme Disease Association Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2020-2021)
“Developmental priming of immunity in the mosquito Culex tarsalis”
South Dakota Board of Regents Competitive Research Grant Program
PI: Jose Pietri (2020-2021)