Dr Emma Marie Briggs

Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow

  • School of Biological Sciences
  • Institute of Infection and Immunology Research

Contact details

Address

Street

Ashworth Laboratories
Kings Buildings
Charlotte Auerbach Road

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH9 3FL
Street

Sir Graeme Davies Building
120 University Place

City
Glasgow
Post code
G12 8TA

Biography

Background

2020 - present: Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow - Deciphering developmental commitment in African trypanosomes using single-cell transcriptomics (University of Edinburgh and WCIP, University of Glasgow)

2018 - 2019: Research Assisant - Trypanosoma brucei genome function and integrity (WCIP, University of Glasgow)

2014 - 2018 : PhD in Molecular Parasitology – The roles of R-loops in the Trypanosoma brucei genome and antigenic variation (WCIP, University of Glasgow)

Qualifications

PhD Molecular Parasitology

BSc Genetics (First Class Honours) 

Responsibilities & affiliations

Affiliate Researcher- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow

Research summary

African trypanosome parasites cause both human and animal wasting diseases, particularly across areas of sub-Saharan Africa where they are spread by biting tsetse flies. The WHO estimates 65 million people are at risk of infection, as are the agricultural animals needed for economic wellbeing.

During the life cycle, trypanosomes transition between replicating and non-replicating forms, each specialised to infect and colonise different tissues in the mammalian and tsetse fly hosts. Understanding how the parasites differentiate between these distinct forms is necessary for the development of new strategies to treat infection and block transmission.

We are using single cell transcriptomics to study gene expression change during the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. Single cell transcriptomics allows mixed populations of cells to be investigated without the need for prior sorting or cultivation. Using this state-of-the-art sequencing technology, bioinformatic analysis and genetic manipulation, we aim to dissect each transition stage and identify key genes in the process.

Key publications

  1. Application of single cell transcriptomics to kinetoplastid research (2021)  Parasitology, pp. 1-51 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S003118202100041X
  2. Single cell transcriptomic analysis of bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei reconstructs cell cycle progression and differentiation via quorum sensing (2021), bioRxiv DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.11.420976

Current research interests

  • Expanding the use of single cell transcriptomics to study heterogenous populations of trypanosomes and other kinetoplastid parasites
  • Investing the role of cell cycle exit and re-entry in the African trypanosome life cycle

Past research interests

  • Trypanosoma brucei genome structure
  • The role of R-loops, three-stranded nucleic acid structures, in the trypanosome genome and antigenic variation

Affiliated research centres

Current project grants

Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral fellowship (Jan 2020 – Jan 2024)

Past project grants

Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF), Feasibility Grant (Jan 2019 – Jan 2020)

Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF), Excellence and Innovation Catalyst Grant (Mar 2018 - Mar 2019)

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