# preferredTitle
Professor and Interim head, Veterinary Pathobiology

# positions[].organizations[].label
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

# positions[].organizations[].parent[].label
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

# overview
For generations ticks and tick borne diseases have had significant impact of animal health and livestock productivity around the world. In public health the effect of ticks and tick borne diseases is also tremendous. Since the 1980s when the causative agent of Lyme disease was described, numerous human tick borne diseases have been reported. In absence of effective vaccines against major tick borne diseases, prevention of animal and human tick borne disease infections relies on the use chemicals (acaricides) to kill ticks. Although acaricide based tick control methods are effective in the short-term, they do not offer a permanent solution because of serious limitations such as ticks developing resistance and contamination of the environment and the food chain. Immunization of animals against is a validated alternative tick control method. The attraction is that tick vaccines will be effective against both acaricide resistant and susceptible tick populations. The major limiting factor is the availability of effective tick vaccine targets. The tick cannot cause damage to host or transmit disease agents without successful feeding. Thus, our plan is to understand molecular mechanisms of how ticks accomplish feeding. In this way we will find targets that will be used for development of effective tick vaccines. We are currently studying the feeding physiology of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). According to the US Centers for Disease Control, these two medically important tick species transmit a combined nine of the 14 human tick borne disease agents in the United States. Major work is on discovery and characterization of proteins that the Lone Star and the Blacklegged tick into animals every 24h through out feeding. The area of particular emphasis is to understanding roles of serine protease inhibitors (serpins) the blacklegged tick and the Lone Star tick inject into animals during feeding. We have identified serpins

# keywords[]
Tick Feeding Physiology And Tick Saliva Serpins

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

# keywords[]
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

# keywords[]
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

# keywords[]
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

# keywords[]
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-related Protein 1

# keywords[]
Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins

# keywords[]
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

# educationAndTraining[].organization.label
University of Liverpool - (Liverpool, United Kingdom)

# educationAndTraining[].organization.label
Hokkaido University - (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan)

# educationAndTraining[].organization.label
University of Zambia - (Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia)

# publications[].label
A 24-48 h fed Amblyomma americanum tick saliva immuno-proteome.

# publications[].label
Molecular characterization of a Haemaphysalis longicornis tick salivary gland-associated 29-kilodalton protein and its effect as a vaccine against tick infestation in rabbits.

# publications[].label
Tick-Host Range Adaptation: Changes in Protein Profiles in Unfed Adult Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum Saliva Stimulated to Feed on Different Hosts.

# publications[].label
Erratum: Seroprevalence and molecular evidence for the presence of bovine immunodeficiency virus in Brazilian cattle (Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research (2002) vol. 50 (1) (9-16))

# publications[].label
Amblyomma americanum serpin 27 (AAS27) is a tick salivary anti-inflammatory protein secreted into the host during feeding.

# publications[].label
Babesia gibsoni: molecular cloning and characterization of Rab6 and Rab11 homologues.

# publications[].label
Ixodes scapularis Tick Saliva Proteins Sequentially Secreted Every 24 h during Blood Feeding.

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An immune responsive factor D-like serine proteinase homologue identified from the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis.

# publications[].label
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against midgut of ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis.

# publications[].label
Assessment of using recombinant Ixodes ricinus AV422 saliva protein for confirmation of tick bites in hunting dogs as naturally infested hosts.

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Bait and Switch: A strategy to avoid host defense by the ticks

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Conserved Amblyomma americanum tick Serpin19, an inhibitor of blood clotting factors Xa and XIa, trypsin and plasmin, has anti-haemostatic functions.

# publications[].label
Non-Invasive Delivery of dsRNA into De-Waxed Tick Eggs by Electroporation.

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The molecular and biological analysis of ixodid ticks histamine release factors.

# publications[].label
Identification of immunogenic tick saliva proteins secreted into the host during 24-48 hours after attachment

# publications[].label
Comparative bioinformatics, temporal and spatial expression analyses of Ixodes scapularis organic anion transporting polypeptides.

# publications[].label
Amblyomma americanum tick saliva serine protease inhibitor 6 is a cross-class inhibitor of serine proteases and papain-like cysteine proteases that delays plasma clotting and inhibits platelet aggregation.

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Amblyomma americanum serpin 41 (AAS41) inhibits inflammation by targeting chymase and chymotrypsin.

# publications[].label
cDNA cloning, characterization and vaccine effect analysis of Haemaphysalis longicornis tick saliva proteins.

# publications[].label
Differential expression of two glutathione S-transferases identified from the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis.

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Molecular cloning of two Haemaphysalis longicornis cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinase genes.

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Molecular and expression analysis of a family of the Amblyomma americanum tick Lospins.

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Ixodes ricinus immunogenic saliva protein, homologue to Amblyomma americanum AV422: Determining its potential for use in tick bite confirmation.

# publications[].label
A blood meal-induced Ixodes scapularis tick saliva serpin inhibits trypsin and thrombin, and interferes with platelet aggregation and blood clotting.

# publications[].label
The putative role of Rhipicephalus microplus salivary serpins in the tick-host relationship.

# publications[].label
Identification of 24h Ixodes scapularis immunogenic tick saliva proteins.

# publications[].label
A serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) from ixodid tick Haemaphysalis longicornis; cloning and preliminary assessment of its suitability as a candidate for a tick vaccine.

# publications[].label
Three serine proteinases from midguts of the hard tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus; cDNA cloning and preliminary characterization.

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Ixodes scapularis tick serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) gene family; annotation and transcriptional analysis.

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Functional characterization and novel rickettsiostatic effects of a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from the tick Dermacentor variabilis.

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Characterization of tick salivary gland and saliva alphagalactome reveals candidate alpha-gal syndrome disease biomarkers.

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Saliva from nymph and adult females of Haemaphysalis longicornis: a proteomic study.

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Exon variability of gene encoding glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of Ixodes ricinus ticks.

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Target validation of highly conserved Amblyomma americanum tick saliva serine protease inhibitor 19.

# publications[].label
Immune-responsive lysozymes from hemocytes of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis and an embryonic cell line of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, D. andersoni.

# publications[].label
Four serine proteinase inhibitors (serpin) from the brown ear tick, Rhiphicephalus appendiculatus; cDNA cloning and preliminary characterization.

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Molecular and functional characterization of vacuolar-ATPase from the American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis.

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Bioinformatics and expression analyses of the Ixodes scapularis tick cystatin family.

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Characterization of an 84 kDa protein inducing an immediate hypersensitivity reaction in rabbits sensitized to Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks.

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Characterization of proteolytic enzymes expressed in the midgut of Haemaphysalis longicornis.

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A repertoire of protease inhibitor families in Amblyomma americanum and other tick species: inter-species comparative analyses.

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Proteomic analysis of cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus saliva: a comparison between partially and fully engorged females.

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Stress and transcriptional regulation of tick ferritin HC.

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Amblyomma americanum tick calreticulin binds C1q but does not inhibit activation of the classical complement cascade.

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Dynamics of Rickettsia-tick interactions: identification and characterization of differentially expressed mRNAs in uninfected and infected Dermacentor variabilis.

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Dual silencing of long and short Amblyomma americanum acidic chitinase forms weakens the tick cement cone stability.

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The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, encodes a functional histamine release factor homolog.

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Disrupting the Amblyomma americanum (L.) CD147 receptor homolog prevents ticks from feeding to repletion and blocks spontaneous detachment of ticks from their host.

# publications[].label
Detection of Borrelia-specific 16S rRNA sequence in total RNA extracted from Ixodes ricinus ticks

# publications[].label
A family of serine protease inhibitors (serpins) in the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

# publications[].label
Characterization of two cDNAs encoding serine proteinases from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.

# publications[].label
Characterization of Dermacentor variabilis molecules associated with Rickettsial infection.

# publications[].label
Seroprevalence and molecular evidence for the presence of bovine immunodeficiency virus in Brazilian cattle.

# publications[].label
A snapshot of the Ixodes scapularis degradome.

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The molecular basis of the Amblyomma americanum tick attachment phase.

# publications[].label
Issues in tick vaccine development: identification and characterization of potential candidate vaccine antigens.

# publications[].label
Identification and characterization of proteins in the Amblyomma americanum tick cement cone.

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Borrelia burgdorferi infection modifies protein content in saliva of Ixodes scapularis nymphs.

# publications[].label
Tick-Encoded serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins); potential target antigens for tick vaccine development.

# publications[].label
Heparan sulfate/heparin glycosaminoglycan binding alters inhibitory profile and enhances anticoagulant function of conserved Amblyomma americanum tick saliva serpin 19.

# publications[].label
Bioinformatic analyses of male and female Amblyomma americanum tick expressed serine protease inhibitors (serpins).

# publications[].label
Molecular and biological characterization of the Amblyomma americanum organic anion transporter polypeptide.

# publications[].label
Interactions between rickettsiae and Dermacentor variabilis ticks: analysis of gene expression.

# publications[].label
Differential expression of genes in uninfected and rickettsia-infected Dermacentor variabilis ticks as assessed by differential-display PCR.

# publications[].label
Silencing of three Amblyomma americanum (L.) insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related proteins prevents ticks from feeding to repletion.

# publications[].label
Time-resolved proteomic profile of Amblyomma americanum tick saliva during feeding.

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Ciliate protozoa in the rumen of Kafue lechwe, Kobus leche kafuensis, in Zambia, with the description of four new species.

# publications[].label
Amblyomma americanum tick saliva insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 binds insulin but not insulin-like growth factors.

# publications[].label
Disruption of blood meal-responsive serpins prevents Ixodes scapularis from feeding to repletion.

# publications[].label
Correction: Non-Invasive Delivery of dsRNA into De-Waxed Tick Eggs by Electroporation.

# publications[].label
Deorphanization and target validation of cross-tick species conserved novel Amblyomma americanum tick saliva protein.

# publications[].label
Editorial: Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogens: Molecular and Immune Targets for Control Strategies.

# publications[].label
A proteomic insight into vitellogenesis during tick ovary maturation.

# publications[].label
Serpins in Fasciola hepatica: insights into host-parasite interactions.

# publications[].label
Blood meal acquisition by ticks; molecular advances and implications for vaccine development.

# publications[].label
Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) tick salivary gland serine protease inhibitor (serpin) 6 is secreted into tick saliva during tick feeding.

# researcherOn[].label
Development of Cattle Fever Tick Vaccine Based on the P0 Antigen

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
Agricultural Research Service - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
Agricultural Research Service - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Comparative Biomedical Research Training for Veterinarians

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
A tick salivary antigen-based vaccine against tick feeding and TBD infections in cattle

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institute of Food and Agriculture - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum tick cement proteome

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Cattle Fever Tick Salivary Proteins as Candidate Immunogens

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
Agricultural Research Service - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Tick Feeding Regulation By Orthologous Tick Saliva Serine Protease Inhibitors

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Development of novel vaccine candidates to prevent the re-emergence of Bovine Babesiosis in the US

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institute of Food and Agriculture - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Tick saliva determinants of Borrelia burgdorferi transmission

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States)

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.preferredLabel
DHHS-NIH-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

# streetAddress
Texas A&M University; Vet Med Pathobiology; 4467 TAMU

# organizations[]
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

# schools[]
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

# etdChairOf[].label
Sanders, David M. (2012-07). Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Associated with Feral Swine in Edwards Plateau and Gulf Prairies and Marshes Ecoregions of Texas. Doctoral Dissertation.

# etdChairOf[].label
Kim, Tae Kwon (2014-04). Biological and Biochemical Characterization of a Tick Feeding Stimuli Responsive Amblyomma americanum Acidic Chitinase in Tick Feeding Physiology. Master's Thesis.

# etdChairOf[].label
Porter, Lindsay Michelle (2016-05). Bioinformatic and Biochemical Characterization of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) Serine Protease Inhibitors (Serpins). Doctoral Dissertation.

# etdChairOf[].label
Catena, Amanda M. (2010-07). Physiological Ageing as it is Related to Gene Function in the Lone Star Tick, Amblyomma americanum. Master's Thesis.

# etdChairOf[].label
Chalaire, Katelyn Cox (2011-10). The Biological and Molecular Analysis of a Tick-Encoded Serine  Protease Inhibitor (S6) and its Role in the Feeding Cycle of the Lone  Star Tick, Amblyomma americanum (L) (Acari: ixodidae). Master's Thesis.