CONTACT

Salorrane Miranda Pinto

Visiting Scientist

 

Phone: (309)  681-6195

Room: 2103

 

USDA ARS NCAUR

1815 N University

Peoria, IL 61604

EDUCATION

PhD student, Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Goias, Brazil, 2022 –

MS, Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Goias, Brazil, 2022

BS, Environmental Studies,

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods distributed throughout the world. These organisms act as vectors for pathogens that cause disease in humans and animals. Entomopathogenic fungi stand out as a promising strategy for controlling these arthropods.
My focus is to elucidate the defense mechanisms of arthropods against entomopathogens. Arthropod defenses can be divided into mechanical, cellular, immunological, physiological, and behavioral barriers. From the beginning of fungal infection, cellular responses and molecular processes are triggered to prevent the progression of the infection.
Understanding the infection mechanisms of entomopathogenic fungi and the tick's response to infection can direct the development of suitable bioproducts and the selection of more promising strains to act as biocontrol agents for this host. In this sense, we seek to reduce the damage caused by ticks and the impacts related to the inappropriate and indiscriminate use of chemical acaricides in the future.

CURRENT RESEARCH:

Characterize tick immune responses to fungal entomopathogenic infection.
Ticks infected with entomopathogenic fungi are used in transcripts analysis via RNAseq and qPCR, focusing on immune-related genes. The target genes are selected based on canonical immune signaling pathways and effectors to elucidate tick-pathogen interactions during the infection process. 

Tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus infected with entomopathogenic fungi.

 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY AFFILIATIONS: 

Sociedad Latinoamericana de Acarologia

LAB MEMBERS:

Currently working under Dr. Jose Luis Ramirez.  

PUBLICATIONS

• Repellent activity of the non-host semiochemical (E)-2-octenal against Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum ticks under field conditions. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 2024.
• Efficacy of collars with allomones on dogs to control Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato infestations under field conditions. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, 2021.
  Metarhizium robertsii protease and conidia production, response to heat stress and virulence against Aedes aegypti larvae. AMB Express, 2021.
  

Invited Conference Lectures and Departmental Seminars

• Pinto, SMN et al. (17th Biological Control Symposium and 2nd Latin American Biological Control Symposium, 2023). Virulence of blastospores, conidia and microsclerotia of Metarhizium anisopliae against Tenebrio molitor.
• Pinto, SMN et al. (21st Brazilian Congress of Veterinary Parasitology, 2022). Beauveria bassiana transcription factor PacC induces cell death in Rhipicephalus microplus hemocytes.
• Pinto, SMN et al. (15th Research, Teaching and Extension Congress, 2018). Protein evaluation of plasma from engorged Rhipicephalus microplus females infected with Metarhizium anisopliae.
• Pinto, SMN et al. (4th International Symposium on Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2018). Effect of Pleurotus eryngii cultivation extract on Panagrellus sp. larvae.