JSPS Fellow's Experiences in Japan
Miss Sally Wastling
Fellow: Sally Wastling, PhD Student, University of Edinburgh, UK
Contact: s.l.wastling@sms.ed.ac.uk
Host and host institution: Professor Chihiro Sugimoto, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University
I spent two (winter!) months at Hokkaido University, in Sapporo. I am currently in the second year of my PhD, based at the University of Edinburgh, in the UK, where my research focus is novel molecular diagnostics for human sleeping sickness. Identification of the parasite is critical for disease control, but is made difficult by both the parasite biology and the limitations of laboratory facilities in endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
A new technique, known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), has been recently developed in Japan, and is being advocated as a simple diagnostic method for many diseases. Prior to my tenure with JSPS I had begun to apply this technique to the identification of human sleeping sickness parasites. During my tenure I continued this work.
Initially I spent my time learning new methods for assessing the output of the LAMP reaction, under the supervision of a senior post-doc in the host institute. I was given access to a real-time turbidimeter to monitor the reaction in real time; equipment I had not previously had the opportunity to use in the UK. I used this to screen a large set of DNA samples with the assay I had designed in the UK for identifying T. b. rhodesiense, the agent of East African human sleeping sickness. This allowed me to monitor the reaction more precisely, as well as to optimize the reaction conditions. I then also tested a published LAMP assay for another human sleeping sickness parasite, T. b. gambiense, using my sample set. Some problems were found and the remainder of my time was spent redesigning and testing this assay.
My time in Japan was extremely productive. It was very helpful to interact daily with experts in the field, especially since they were so willing to share their experience and offer advice. The laboratory facilities were excellent; it was a pleasure to work under such good conditions.
My advice to new fellows would be to be willing to learn, because my experience of my Japanese hosts was that they were more than willing to teach! Also, everyone is extremely friendly, so take the opportunity to make friends, who could become lifelong colleagues and collaborators. Finally, enjoy Japan! (See photos below! These show an ice sculpture at the annual Snow Festival held in Sapporo, and a boat taken to experience the drift ice off the north eastern coast of Hokkaido.)
