Research output per year
Research output per year
BSc (1st class), BVSc. (hons), DSAM, PhD, DipECVIM FHEA
BS40 5DU
My research focuses particularly on haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas), a group of pathogens that can induce haemolysis of red blood cells, and feline coronavirus infections, which can result in the fatal disease of feline infectious peritonitis. I am also involved in research on vector borne diseases such as Leishmania and Babesia. I am also involved in the Veterinary School's Comparative and Clinical Research Group within the Population Health Research Theme.
Haemotropic mycoplasma infections
I am involved in the investigation of haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas), which are bacterial agents that can induce haemolytic anaemia in a range of host species. Most of our studies centre on the feline haemoplasmas but we have carried out research on a range of haemoplasma species including canine, rodent and human species. Our research has focused on: the development of novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and serological tests to detect haemoplasma infection, the phylogeny of haemoplasmas, the pathogenesis of the haemoplasma-associated anaemia and induced immunity, and genomic studies that have resulted in the first complete haemoplasma genomic sequence (Mycoplasma haemofelis). We have also investigated in vitro methods of haemoplasma cultivation and protective immunity.
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infections
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection is very common in cats and can sometimes lead to the serious disease of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). This was a common cause of death in young cats although effective antivirals such as GS-441524 are now often used to successfully treat FIP. Our research in this field is to ultimately help the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this disease. Research involves the development of reliable diagnostic tests for the definitive diagnosis of FIP, evaluating treatment, deriving genome sequences of field coronavirus isolates, identification of feline coronavirus host receptors and the development of a so-called “reverse genetic” system for feline coronaviruses. The reverse genetic systemic involves constructing a copy of the virus in a form that can be changed in a specific way. This is a complex process but it will be of immense value in our basic research and, in the longer term, can be used to produce vaccines against FIP.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Avison, M. B. (Principal Investigator), Gould, G. (Manager), Wright, E. F. (Manager), Schubert, H. (Researcher), Findlay, J. (Researcher), Hammond, A. (Researcher), Morley, C. (Technician), Reyher, K. K. (Co-Investigator), Barrett, D. C. (Co-Investigator), Cogan, T. A. (Co-Investigator), Tasker, S. (Co-Investigator), Turner, K. M. E. (Co-Investigator), Hay, A. D. (Co-Investigator), May, M. T. (Co-Investigator) & MacGowan, A. P. (Co-Investigator)
1/06/16 → 1/12/19
Project: Research
Dos Santos Ferreira, D. L. (Researcher), Maple, H. J. (Researcher), Tasker, S. (Researcher) & Papasouliotis, K. (Principal Investigator)
1/03/16 → 31/08/17
Project: Research
Tasker, S. (Recipient), 2013
Prize: National/international honour
Tasker, S. (Invited speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Invited talk
Tasker, S. (Keynote/plenary speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Invited talk
Tasker, S. (Invited speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Invited talk