Symbiotic bacteria as a delivery system for nanobodies that target the insect-parasite interplay

The tsetse fly (Glossina spp.) salivary gland is the final micro-environment where the Trypanosoma brucei parasites adhere and undergo a complex re-programming cycle resulting in an end stage that is re-programmed to continue its life cycle in a new mammalian host. The molecular parasite-vector communications that orchestrate this trypanosome development in tsetse fly salivary glands remain unknown mainly due to the limited availability of experimental tools for functional research. Against this background and using the tsetse fly – trypanosome as experimental model, this project aims to i) develop an innovative Sodalis-based internal delivery system for Nanobodies, ii) generate a trypanosome-resistant tsetse fly by blocking trypanosome transmission through internal delivery of trypanosome-targeting Nanobodies. and iii) investigate the molecular determinants of the tsetse fly salivary gland – trypanosome attachment through proteomics and through internal delivery of salivary gland targeting Nanobodies.