Brenda Beerntsen
Associate Professor
B.S., University of Wisconsin M.S., University of Wisconsin Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Research emphasis: Dr. Beerntsen’s research focus is
on mosquito-parasite interactions. One area of research focuses on gene expression
in Plasmodium sporozoites, which are key developmental stages of the malaria
parasite. Novel sporozoite genes are being isolated and characterized at the
molecular, cellular and biochemical levels. Ultimately, characterization of
these sporozoite genes may result in new or improved ways to control malaria
by discovering new drug targets, potential vaccine candidates and/or molecules
that can be used to genetically manipulate the mosquito vector to prevent
malaria transmission. Another area of research investigates the influence
of filarial worms on the innate immune system of mosquitoes. In this research,
experiments are designed to determine the molecular differences between two
closely related filarial worms that are responsible for initiating either
a compatible of incompatible relationship with the mosquito vector. This research
should help to elucidate the recognition mechanisms involved in innate immunity.
Teaching: Parasitology
Selected publications:
Capurro, M.D.L., J. Coleman, B. T. Beerntsen, K.M. Myles, K.E. Olson, E. Rocha, A.U. Krettli and A.A. James. 2000. Virus-expressed, recombinant single-chain antibody blocks sporozoite infection of salivary glands in Plasmodium gallinaceum-infected Aedes aegypti. (Submitted).
Fidock, D.A., T.V. Nguyen, B.T. Beerntsen and A.A. James. 2000. Subtractive hybridization applied to Plasmodium falciparum. Methods in Molecular Medicine (In press).
Beerntsen, B.T., A.A. James and B.M. Christensen. 2000. Genetics of mosquito vector competence. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews. 64:115-137.
Beerntsen, B.T., D.E. Champagne, J.L. Coleman, Y.A. Campos, and A.A. James. 1999. Characterization of the Sialokinin I gene encoding the salivary vasodilator of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Insect Molecular Biology 8:459-467.
James, A.A., B.T. Beerntsen, M.D.L. Capurro, C.J. Coates, J.L. Coleman, N.J. Jasinskiene and A.U. Krettli. 1999. Controlling malaria transmission with genetically-engineered, Plasmodium-resistant mosquitoes: Milestones in a model system. Parassitologia 41:461-471.
Beerntsen, B.T., D.W. Severson, J.A. Klinkhammer, V.A. Kassner, and B.M. Christensen. (1995) Aedes aegypti: A QTL influencing filarial worm intensity is linked to QTL for susceptibility to other mosquito-borne pathogens. Experimental Parasitology 81, 355-362.