Professor Ben Makepeace BSc (Hons) MSc PhD

Chair in Vector-Borne Diseases Infection Biology & Microbiomes

    Research

    Wolbachia and filarial nematodes

    My primary research interest is the symbiosis between filarial nematode worms and their bacterial endosymbionts (Wolbachia). Filariae are responsible for two major tropical diseases, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, and Wolbachia have become the focus of intense efforts to identify a new chemotherapeutic strategy for filarial diseases. Wolbachia also impact significantly on the immune response to filarial worms. I also have a longstanding interest in the development of protective immunity in onchocerciasis (especially using the cattle model, Onchocerca ochengi) and am co-director of The Onchocerciasis Vaccine for Africa Initiative, TOVA. [https://www.riverblindnessvaccinetova.org/].(https://www.riverblindnessvaccinetova.org/).

    Acarine vectors (ticks and mites) and their symbionts

    Since 2017, I have been principal investigator of a BBSRC-funded resource, the Tick Cell Biobank https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/infection-and-global-health/research/tick-cell-biobank/, which is the world's largest collection of arthropod cell lines. This is managed by Dr Lesley Bell-Sakyi. I am involved in several collaborative projects worldwide on tick- and mite-borne diseases, especially scrub typhus and anaplasmosis, and am investigating the relationship between bacterial pathogens and symbionts in ticks and chigger mites.

    Research Grants

    The Tick Cell Biobank: arthropod vector cell lines for human and animal health

    WELLCOME TRUST (UK)

    January 2022 - December 2026

    Identification, evaluation and alleviation of the threat of vector-borne rickettsia agents to human health in Malaysia in the context of changing climate and socio-economic development

    DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS) (UK)

    April 2018 - March 2020

    Detection and characterization of environmental strains of Mycobacterium ulcerans from the South West region of Cameroon

    MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (UK)

    July 2017 - September 2018

    Rapid diagnosis of onchocerciasis using urinary biomarkers

    MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

    March 2017 - March 2019

    The Tick Cell Biobank: outposts in Asia, Africa and South America

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

    July 2017 - June 2021

    The development of a recombinant vaccine against human onchocerciasis

    NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)

    March 2017 - February 2024

    The Tick Cell Biobank - a UK and international biological resource

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL

    July 2017 - March 2023

    Macrofilaricidal drug evaluation against Onchocerca ochengi in cattle

    BAYER UK LTD (UK)

    February 2017 - June 2019

    Bench fees for SAMIA QASEM OUDAH ALGHAMDI

    ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA

    November 2015 - December 2018

    Rapid and high-throughput diagnosis of Onchocerca volvulus infections

    BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION (USA)

    November 2013 - December 2015

    Sustainable Control of Onchocerciasis Today and Tomorrow - SCOOTT

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION

    August 2008 - October 2010

    Alaa Mohammed Abdul Razak Al-Khafaji - Bench Fees

    REPUBLIC OF IRAQ MINISTRY OF EDUCATION🚩

    October 2014 - September 2017