About this Research Topic
Current studies on ticks and tick-borne pathogens focus on two broad aspects: i) the precise identification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens and ii) the development of novel approaches for controlling ticks and associated pathogens. For the first aspect, developing, improving and/or evaluating specific DNA/RNA markers and barcodes for species level delineation, designing machine learning and artificial intelligence tools for effective identification of tick species or associated pathogens, and analyzing spread, risk factors and genetic diversity of animal, and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens are crucial to creating new strategies for control programs. For the second aspect, metaomics based sequencing techniques, such as targeted 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics, are powerful tools for addressing tick-pathogen networks description, including potential protective antigens. Future directions should further intensively in (i) create molecular, and computer vision-based methods for more accurate identification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens and (ii) define relationships and molecular interactions in the triad hosts-ticks-pathogens to allow for the discovery of key molecules eventually used in vaccines or new generation therapeutics by reverse vaccinology.
This research topic aims to open the submissions in the broad subject area of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Specifically, submissions in the fields of (i) precise identification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens and (ii) specific application of meta-omics strategies for exploring tick-pathogen interactions and vaccine targets to control tick infestations and pathogen infection and transmission.
Studies may include, but are not limited to:
• Development of novel methods for specific detection and improved genetic characterization of ticks and tick-borne pathogens.
• Evaluation of DNA/RNA markers for species identification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens.
• Exploration of tick microbiota for pathogens screening and control.
• Design of multi-epitope vaccines against ticks and tick-borne pathogens.
• Use metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics to search for new protein candidates for anti-tick and anti-TBP vaccination.
Keywords: metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, DNA markers, RNA markers, multi-epitope vaccines
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.