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'''Raymond J. St. Leger''' (born 1957, in London, England) is an American [[mycologist]], [[entomologist]] [[molecular biologist]] and Biotechnologist who currently holds the rank of Distinguished University Professor in the Department of [[Entomology]] (https://entomology.umd.edu/) at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]]. He is an advocate of online open education and since 2013 has co-taught with Dr. Tammatha O’Brien a massive open online [[Coursera]] course called Genes and the Human Condition. According to [[Google Scholar]], St. Leger has published more than 150 scientific papers and book chapters on fungal pathogens of [[plants]], [[animals]] and [[insects]], and on the reactions of hosts to infection. St. Leger has principally used [[entomopathogenic fungus]] ([[fungi]] that act as parasites of insects), as models for understanding how [[pathogens]] in general respond to changing environments, initiate host invasion, colonize tissues, and counter host [[immune]] responses. These investigations have also addressed the mechanisms by which new pathogens emerge with different host ranges. Other interests include fungal and insect behavior and [[evolution]], molecular biology of fungi, pest control and [[mutualism (biology)|mutualistic]] associations between microbes and plants that can be exploited to benefit agriculture <ref name=StLeger2014>{{cite journal|last1=Liao |first1=X |last2=O'Brien |first2=T|last3=Fang |first3=W |last4=St. Leger |first4=R.J|title= The plant beneficial effects of Metarhizium species correlate with their association with roots |journal= Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology |volume=98|issue=2014|pages=7089-7096|pmid=21350178|doi= 10.1007/s00253-014-5788-2}}</ref>.
'''Raymond J. St. Leger''' (born 1957, in London, England) is an American [[mycologist]], [[entomologist]] [[molecular biologist]] and Biotechnologist who currently holds the rank of Distinguished University Professor in the Department of [[Entomology]] (https://entomology.umd.edu/) at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]]. He is an advocate of online open education and since 2013 has co-taught with Dr. Tammatha O’Brien a massive open online [[Coursera]] course called Genes and the Human Condition. According to [[Google Scholar]], St. Leger has published more than 150 scientific papers and book chapters on fungal pathogens of [[plants]], [[animals]] and [[insects]], and on the reactions of hosts to infection. St. Leger has principally used [[entomopathogenic fungus]] ([[fungi]] that act as parasites of insects), as models for understanding how [[pathogens]] in general respond to changing environments, initiate host invasion, colonize tissues, and counter host [[immune]] responses. These investigations have also addressed the mechanisms by which new pathogens emerge with different host ranges. Other interests include fungal and insect behavior and [[evolution]], molecular biology of fungi, pest control and [[mutualism (biology)|mutualistic]] associations between microbes and plants that can be exploited to benefit agriculture <ref name=StLeger2014>{{cite journal|last1=Liao |first1=X |last2=O'Brien |first2=T|last3=Fang |first3=W |last4=St. Leger |first4=R.J|title= The plant beneficial effects of Metarhizium species correlate with their association with roots |journal= Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology |volume=98|issue=2014|pages=7089-7096|pmid=21350178|doi= 10.1007/s00253-014-5788-2}}</ref>.


St. Leger's most controversial work has involved altering insect pathogens so that they carry genes encoding [[spider]] and [[scorpion]] toxins.<ref name=Fang2014>{{cite journal|last1=Fang |first1=W |last2=Lu |first2=H |last3=King |first3=G.F|last4=St. Leger|first4=R.J |title= Construction of a hypervirulent and specific mycoinsecticide for locust control |journal= Scientific Reports |volume=4|issue=2014| doi= 1038/srep07345}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=James |title=GM fungus rapidly kills 99% of malaria mosquitoes, study suggests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48464510 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |accessdate=31 May 2019}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last1=Saey |first1=Tina |title=A fungus weaponized with a spider toxin can kill malaria mosquitoes|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fungus-weaponized-spider-toxin-can-kill-malaria-mosquitoes |website=https://www.sciencenews.org/ |accessdate=31 May 2019}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last1=Bonner |first1=Walt |title=Genetically-altered fungus murders mosquitoes with spider venom |url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/genetically-altered-fungus-mosquitoes |website=foxnews.com |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=13 June 2019}}</ref> A field trial in [[Burkina Faso]] has shown that these engineered pathogens have the potential to control insect borne diseases such as [[malaria]]<ref name=StLeger2019>{{cite journal|last1=Lovett|first1=B |last2= et al.,|title= Transgenic Metarhizium rapidly kills mosquitoes in a malaria-endemic region of Burkina Faso|journal=Science|volume=364|issue=2019|pages=894-897|pmid=21350178|doi= 10.1126/science.aaw8737}}</ref>. Another approach, which has been less controversial, is to engineer the fungus to carry a gene for a human anti-malarial antibody so that the fungus targets the malarial parasite in the mosquito.<ref name=StLeger2011>{{cite journal|last1=Fang|first1=W |last2= Vega-Rodriguez |first2=J |last3=Ghosh |first3=A.K|last4=Jacobs-Lorena |first4=M|last5=Khang |first5=A|last6=St. Leger |first6=R.J .|title= Development of transgenic fungi that kill human malaria parasites in mosquitoes|journal=Science|volume=331|issue=2011|pages=1074-1077|pmid=21350178|doi=10.1126/science.1199115}}</ref>. The fungus does not kill mosquitoes until they are old, so natural selection would not act against infected mosquitoes.
St. Leger's most controversial work has involved altering insect pathogens so that they carry genes encoding [[spider]] and [[scorpion]] toxins.<ref name=Fang2014>{{cite journal|last1=Fang |first1=W |last2=Lu |first2=H |last3=King |first3=G.F|last4=St. Leger|first4=R.J |title= Construction of a hypervirulent and specific mycoinsecticide for locust control |journal= Scientific Reports |volume=4|issue=2014| doi= 10.1038/srep07345}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=James |title=GM fungus rapidly kills 99% of malaria mosquitoes, study suggests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48464510 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |accessdate=31 May 2019}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last1=Saey |first1=Tina |title=A fungus weaponized with a spider toxin can kill malaria mosquitoes|url=https://www.sciencenews.org/ |website=https://www.sciencenews.org/ |accessdate=31 May 2019}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last1=Bonner |first1=Walt |title=Genetically-altered fungus murders mosquitoes with spider venom |url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/genetically-altered-fungus-mosquitoes |website=foxnews.com |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=13 June 2019}}</ref> A field trial in [[Burkina Faso]] has shown that these engineered pathogens have the potential to control insect borne diseases such as [[malaria]]<ref name=StLeger2019>{{cite journal|last1=Lovett|first1=B |last2= et al.,|title= Transgenic Metarhizium rapidly kills mosquitoes in a malaria-endemic region of Burkina Faso|journal=Science|volume=364|issue=2019|pages=894-897|pmid=21350178|doi= 10.1126/science.aaw8737}}</ref>. Another approach, which has been less controversial, is to engineer the fungus to carry a gene for a human anti-malarial antibody so that the fungus targets the malarial parasite in the mosquito.<ref name=StLeger2011>{{cite journal|last1=Fang|first1=W |last2= Vega-Rodriguez |first2=J |last3=Ghosh |first3=A.K|last4=Jacobs-Lorena |first4=M|last5=Khang |first5=A|last6=St. Leger |first6=R.J .|title= Development of transgenic fungi that kill human malaria parasites in mosquitoes|journal=Science|volume=331|issue=2011|pages=1074-1077|pmid=21350178|doi=10.1126/science.1199115}}</ref>. The fungus does not kill mosquitoes until they are old, so natural selection would not act against infected mosquitoes.


St. Leger received his [[Bachelor of Science]] in biology from [[Exeter University]], in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1978, a [[Master's degree|Master of Science]] in entomology in 1980 from [[Birkbeck College]] [[London University]], and a [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in 1985 in crop protection from the [[University of Bath]], near [[Bath, England]]. He also has an Honorary [[Doctorate]] from [[Exeter University]] (2018)
St. Leger received his [[Bachelor of Science]] in biology from [[Exeter University]], in the [[United Kingdom]] in 1978, a [[Master's degree|Master of Science]] in entomology in 1980 from [[Birkbeck College]] [[London University]], and a [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in 1985 in crop protection from the [[University of Bath]], near [[Bath, England]]. He also has an Honorary [[Doctorate]] from [[Exeter University]] (2018)

Revision as of 01:20, 8 February 2020

Raymond St. Leger
Born (1957-04-01) April 1, 1957 (age 67)
London, England
Nationality England
Alma materExeter University
University of Bath
Scientific career
FieldsEntomologyMycology Biotechnology
InstitutionsCornell
University of Maryland
Doctoral advisorProfessors Keith Charnley and Richard Cooper

Raymond J. St. Leger (born 1957, in London, England) is an American mycologist, entomologist molecular biologist and Biotechnologist who currently holds the rank of Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Entomology (https://entomology.umd.edu/) at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is an advocate of online open education and since 2013 has co-taught with Dr. Tammatha O’Brien a massive open online Coursera course called Genes and the Human Condition. According to Google Scholar, St. Leger has published more than 150 scientific papers and book chapters on fungal pathogens of plants, animals and insects, and on the reactions of hosts to infection. St. Leger has principally used entomopathogenic fungus (fungi that act as parasites of insects), as models for understanding how pathogens in general respond to changing environments, initiate host invasion, colonize tissues, and counter host immune responses. These investigations have also addressed the mechanisms by which new pathogens emerge with different host ranges. Other interests include fungal and insect behavior and evolution, molecular biology of fungi, pest control and mutualistic associations between microbes and plants that can be exploited to benefit agriculture [1].

St. Leger's most controversial work has involved altering insect pathogens so that they carry genes encoding spider and scorpion toxins.[2] [3] [4] [5] A field trial in Burkina Faso has shown that these engineered pathogens have the potential to control insect borne diseases such as malaria[6]. Another approach, which has been less controversial, is to engineer the fungus to carry a gene for a human anti-malarial antibody so that the fungus targets the malarial parasite in the mosquito.[7]. The fungus does not kill mosquitoes until they are old, so natural selection would not act against infected mosquitoes.

St. Leger received his Bachelor of Science in biology from Exeter University, in the United Kingdom in 1978, a Master of Science in entomology in 1980 from Birkbeck College London University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1985 in crop protection from the University of Bath, near Bath, England. He also has an Honorary Doctorate from Exeter University (2018)

St. Leger has been a consultant on biotechnology to many private and public concerns, including the USDA, the NSF, the US State Department and the Organization of American States. St. Leger has also served on many national and international policy-making committees including the Bill Gates funded National Academies Committee to study technologies to benefit SubSaharan Africa and South Asia (2007).

Awards and honors

St. Leger has received several awards for his research, he was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Microbiology, the Royal Entomological Society of London (FRES) and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB). He received the American Society for Microbiology Promega Biotechnology Research Award and was the inaugural recipient of the Tai Fung-Lan Award for International Cooperation from The Mycological Society of China. St. Leger received an Honorary Doctorate from Exeter University in 2018 and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) awarded its Newcomb Cleveland Prize to St. Leger and colleagues for the most impactful paper published in AAAS’s flagship journal Science during 2019 (https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/umd-led-study-named-most-impactful-paper-published-journal-science-2019). St. Leger gave the Founders lecture at the 2009 Society of Invertebrate Pathology Meeting.

References

  1. ^ Liao, X; O'Brien, T; Fang, W; St. Leger, R.J. "The plant beneficial effects of Metarhizium species correlate with their association with roots". Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 98 (2014): 7089–7096. doi:10.1007/s00253-014-5788-2. PMID 21350178.
  2. ^ Fang, W; Lu, H; King, G.F; St. Leger, R.J. "Construction of a hypervirulent and specific mycoinsecticide for locust control". Scientific Reports. 4 (2014). doi:10.1038/srep07345.
  3. ^ Gallagher, James. "GM fungus rapidly kills 99% of malaria mosquitoes, study suggests". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  4. ^ Saey, Tina. "A fungus weaponized with a spider toxin can kill malaria mosquitoes". https://www.sciencenews.org/. Retrieved 31 May 2019. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  5. ^ Bonner, Walt. "Genetically-altered fungus murders mosquitoes with spider venom". foxnews.com. Fox News. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  6. ^ Lovett, B; et al. "Transgenic Metarhizium rapidly kills mosquitoes in a malaria-endemic region of Burkina Faso". Science. 364 (2019): 894–897. doi:10.1126/science.aaw8737. PMID 21350178. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |last2= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  7. ^ Fang, W; Vega-Rodriguez, J; Ghosh, A.K; Jacobs-Lorena, M; Khang, A; St. Leger, R.J . "Development of transgenic fungi that kill human malaria parasites in mosquitoes". Science. 331 (2011): 1074–1077. doi:10.1126/science.1199115. PMID 21350178.

External links

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