Decrypting the symbionts-vectors-pathogens trilogy: new efficient – SYMPATHRY

Funder: Project funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3 – Cascade Call related to the Program “One Health Basic and Translational Actions Addressing Unmet Needs on Emerging Infectious Diseases – INF-ACT” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU;

Award Number: Cascade Call related to the Program “One Health Basic and Translational Actions Addressing Unmet Needs on Emerging Infectious Diseases – INF-ACT” PE00000007,  COC-1-2023-UNIPD / S4-01.P0001;

Start date: 27/05/2024

End date: 10/10/2025

Total NRRP funding for the cascade call: € 1.673.884,35

Total NRRP funding for Unipr: € 192.868,95 €

The SYMPATHRY project aims to deepen the understanding of microbiota-vector interactions in mosquitoes and sand flies to develop innovative control methods. The project focuses on environmental adaptation, insecticide resistance, and vectorial capacity of mosquitoes, while also addressing the knowledge gap in sand fly microbiota. The project involves collecting mosquitoes and sand flies in Italy, identifying vector species and pathogens, and conducting metagenomic analyses to study microbiota interactions. Laboratory and field trials will be conducted to evaluate the role of symbionts in thermal adaptation and vectorial capacity, and to test eco-friendly control methods using symbionts like Wolbachia.

The University of Parma (UNIPR) plays a significant role in the SYMPATHRY project, particularly in studying the interactions between filarial parasites and their Wolbachia endosymbionts. UNIPR will conduct experimental infections of mosquitoes with filarial nematodes and evaluate the role of symbionts in blocking pathogen transmission. The research will involve metagenomic analyses to identify symbionts that contribute to thermal adaptation and resistance to pathogens. UNIPR's expertise in veterinary parasitology and parasitic diseases will be crucial in advancing the project's objectives and developing innovative control methods.

The University of Parma is involved in the following WP (work package):

• WP1: Monitoring of insect vectors, identification at species level and verification of the presence of viral/nematode infections
• WP2: Metagenomic analysis and selection of “host-specific symbionts”
• WP3: Identification and selection of “phenotype-specific symbionts”
• WP4: Trials with selected symbionts in laboratory and semi-field defined settings

• Università degli Studi di Camerino (UNICAM)
• Università degli Studi di Parma (UNIPR)
• Università degli Studi di Perugia (UNIPG)
• Agenzia nazionale per le nuove tecnologie, l'energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile (ENEA)
• Genomix4Life s.r.l (G4L)

• Department of Veterinary Sciences

The SYMPATHRY project expects to produce significant advancements in understanding the role of microbiota in vector competence, environmental adaptation, and insecticide resistance. By identifying specific symbionts that influence these factors, the project aims to develop new, eco-friendly control methods for mosquitoes and sand flies. The project will generate valuable data on the microbiota of these vectors, contributing to the broader understanding of vector-borne diseases and their control. The findings will be integrated into the INF-ACT RN2 Vector Repository, providing a valuable resource for future research and control efforts.

For UNIPR, the expected results include the identification of symbionts that can block the transmission of filarial nematodes and other pathogens. The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of symbiont-based control methods in laboratory and field settings, providing proof-of-concept for their use in real-world scenarios. The research will also contribute to the development of a microbial biobank of symbiotic bacteria, which will be made available to the scientific community. Overall, the project aims to enhance the understanding of vector biology and develop innovative, sustainable methods for controlling vector-borne diseases.

https://www.inf-act.it/