About the One Health Intellectual Exchange Series

This interdisciplinary course will introduce the concept of One Health as an increasingly important approach to a holistic understanding of the prevention of disease and the maintenance of both human and animal health. The list of topics will include a discussion of bidirectional impact of animal health on human health, the impact of earth’s changing ecology on health, issues of food and water security and preparedness, and the benefits of comparative medicine. Learning objectives include 1) to describe how different disciplines contribute to the practice of One Health, 2) to creatively design interdisciplinary interventions to improve Global Health using a One Health model, and 3) to interact with One Health-relevant professionals in the Triangle and beyond. The course aims to include students from Duke, UNC and NC State from diverse disciplines relevant to One Health, including: human medicine, veterinary medicine, environmental science, public health, global health, public policy, and others.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Upcoming on February 1st: Session 4: The biology and control of dengue virus: Immune responses, disease dynamics and genetic modification of the mosquito vector


The One Health Intellectual Exchange "Philosophy to Practical Integration of Human, Animal and Environmental Health", an IEG discussion series, is sponsored by the Triangle Global Health Consortium One Health Collaborative. It is designed to enhance collaborations between physicians, veterinarians, researchers and other local / global health professionals by increasing public awareness of the interconnectedness of people, animals and the environment.


Session 4: The biology and control of dengue virus: Immune responses, disease dynamics and genetic modification of the mosquito vector
This session will include a 3-part panel with leading researchers, Dr. Dr. Aravinda Desilva, Dr. Katia Koelle and Dr. Fred Gould. Read on for more information on their presentations. 

Dr. Aravinda Desilva, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: a case study of a disease in which the human immune response can be beneficial or harmful
The disease caused by dengue viruses is complex.  Severe dengue hemorrhagic fever is a consequence of both the strain of virus infecting a person and the individual’s immune response to the virus.   I will summarize our current understand of mechanisms involved in protective and pathogenic immune responses to dengue.  I will discuss how studies on dengue pathogenesis are relevant to developing a safe and effective vaccine.   I expect the discussion to focus on how the immune response to a virus can both help and hurt the host.  I also expect a good discussion on the practicalities of developing a vaccine that is accessible to the people who need it the most,.

Learning goals:
1) Understand that many infectious diseases have complex presentation with severe cases only representing a small fraction of infections.
2) Understand the antibody dependent enhancement hypothesis of severe dengue
3) Be up to date with current approaches being used to develop dengue vaccines and the practicalities of deploying a dengue vaccine


Dr. Katia Koelle, Mathematical models for understanding the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of dengue
Dengue is an acutely infecting RNA virus classified into four distinct strains called serotypes. These four serotypes co-circulate in many dengue endemic countries. Interestingly, in several of these countries, it appears that these four serotypes occur asynchronously in time, effectively taking turns infecting individuals.  This presentation will focus on these intriguing serotype dynamics and how mathematical models of disease transmission can be used to better understand them. I will specifically address the possible roles that antibody-dependent enhancement and temporary cross-immunity play in shaping these dynamics. I will also discuss how mathematical models can be used as public health tools to evaluate the effect of disease control strategies (vaccination and vector control). I expect the discussion to focus on the (ideal) iterative interaction between the findings of mathematical models, the findings of virological studies, and the findings of epidemiological studies.

 Learning goals:
1) Develop a basic understanding of compartmental disease models and what they are useful for.
2) Understand how herd immunity and the immunological interactions between dengue’s four serotypes can affect patterns of dengue incidence.
3) Understand how dengue models can be used to evaluate and suggest vaccination strategies.

Dr. Fred Gould, Genomic approaches for manipulating mosquito vectors of malaria and dengue
This presentation will introduce the participants to approaches for genetically engineering mosquito strains that can be released into wild populations with the goal of either decreasing the density of the mosquito vector or altering the vector population in a manner that decreases its ability to transmit the disease. I will give a very brief overview of the genomic methods used and will touch on some of the ecological and ethical issues. I will also discuss how hybrid population dynamic/genetic models can be used to assess approaches for integrating vaccine delivery strategies with mosquito manipulation. I expect the discussion to focus on social and operational issues related to use of transgenic mosquitoes.

 Learning goals:
1) Have a very basic understanding of transgenic strategies for manipulating mosquitoes.
2) Be able to discuss the interaction between vector manipulation and vaccine use.
3) Be aware of ethical and operational issues related to use of transgenic mosquitoes.

Suggested readings for this session are referenced below:





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