Helen Price

Biography

I graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc. (Hons.) degree in Applied Zoology. I was awarded a PhD in 1997 following research at Bangor University on a vaccine candidate for the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. In my first research position, I studied novel genes involved in chromosome translocations in B-cell malignancies at the Institute of Cancer Research, Surrey. I returned to the field of parasitology in 2000 to join the research group of Debbie Smith at Imperial College London and from 2004 at the University of York, studying the cell biology of the protozoan parasites Leishmania major and Trypanosoma brucei. I performed molecular studies to validate the enzyme N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) as a drug target and used protozoa as genetically tractable model organisms to study the functions of proteins implicated in human genetic and autoimmune diseases. I relocated to Keele as Lecturer in Bioscience in September 2013 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2018, to Reader in 2020 and to Professor in 2022. I run a research group focusing on kinetoplastid parasites and co-lead the NIHR-funded ECLIPSE research programme with Professor Lisa Dikomitis. I have been the Director for Research for the School of Life Sciences since September 2020.

Image: Scanning electron micrograph of Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream form parasite

Research and scholarship

My research focuses on understanding the cell biology of the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma brucei and exploiting this knowledge towards the development of new therapeutics. Current projects include the following:

Investigating the functions of the BBSome protein complex in Leishmania mexicana using molecular, cellular and proteomic techniques. This work is being performed in collaboration with co-investigator Dr Sarah Hart and is funded by the MRC.
Study on Trypanosoma evansi, a major pathogen of camels in North Africa. In collaboration with Professor Somaia Abou-Akkada at Alexandria University, Egypt, we are investigating the prevalence of T. evansi in Egyptian camels and analysing isolated parasites for drug resistance against commonly used anti-trypanocidal drugs. We are also undertaking work to identify novel compounds with specific activity against T. evansi. This work is funded by a Newton Fund/Mosharafa Institutional Links grant, administered by the British Council and STDF.
I am also investigating the potential use of magnetic and gold hybrid nanoparticles as novel therapies for cutaneous leishmaniasis, in collaboration with Professor Neil Telling and Dr Clare Hoskins.

I am co-leading the ECLIPSE programme with Professor Lisa Dikomitis, medical anthropologist at the University of Kent. This is a four-year £4.6M project funded by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which aims to reduce stigma and improve the patient journey for people living with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka.

Image: Macrophage infected with Leishmania major amastigotes (Molecular Microbiology Vol. 90, November 2013)

Further details (CAEP Homepage)

Teaching

Level 5

LSC-20073 Microbes, Viruses and Parasites (Module Lead)

Level 6

LSC-30009 Clinical Pathology
LSC-30015 Biology of Disease
LSC-30035 Double Biochemistry Research Project

Postgraduate

MSc. Biomedical Blood Science
LSC-40017 Introduction to Scientific Research

Selected Publications

Polidano K, Wenning B, Ruiz-Cadavid A, Dawaishan B, Panchal J, Gunasekara S, Abebe H, Morais M, Price H, Dikomitis L. 2022. Community-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review. Social Sciences, 490, vol. 11(10). doi> link> full text>
Taffere GR, Abebe HT, Zerihun Z, Mallen C, Price HP, Mulugeta A. Systematic review of community engagement approach in research: describing partnership approaches, challenges and benefits. Journal of Public Health. doi> link>
Nuwangi H, Weerakoon KG, Agampodi TC, Price HP, Dikomitis L, Agampodi SB. 2022. Rewriting the history of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: An untold story since 1904. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, e0010918, vol. 16(12). link> doi> full text>
Wenning B, Price H, Nuwangi H, Reda KT, Walters B, Ehsanullah R, Viana G, Andras A, Dikomitis L. 2022. Exploring the cultural effects of gender on perceptions of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a systematic literature review. Glob Health Res Policy, 34, vol. 7(1). link> doi> full text>
Djibougou AD, Nikièma AS, Hien AS, Sangaré I, Yameogo BK, Koala L, Ouari A, Diagbouga SP, Diabaté A, Price H, Fournet F, Dabiré RK. 2022. Serological and molecular detection of Leishmania species in dog peripheral blood from Bobo-Dioulasso city, a confirmation of canine leishmaniasis enzootic area for Burkina Faso. Infect Genet Evol, 105327, vol. 103. link> doi> full text>

Full Publications Listshow

Journal Articles

Taffere GR, Abebe HT, Zerihun Z, Mallen C, Price HP, Mulugeta A. Systematic review of community engagement approach in research: describing partnership approaches, challenges and benefits. Journal of Public Health. doi> link>
Nuwangi H, Weerakoon KG, Agampodi TC, Price HP, Dikomitis L, Agampodi SB. 2022. Rewriting the history of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: An untold story since 1904. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, e0010918, vol. 16(12). link> doi> full text>
Polidano K, Wenning B, Ruiz-Cadavid A, Dawaishan B, Panchal J, Gunasekara S, Abebe H, Morais M, Price H, Dikomitis L. 2022. Community-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review. Social Sciences, 490, vol. 11(10). doi> link> full text>
Wenning B, Price H, Nuwangi H, Reda KT, Walters B, Ehsanullah R, Viana G, Andras A, Dikomitis L. 2022. Exploring the cultural effects of gender on perceptions of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a systematic literature review. Glob Health Res Policy, 34, vol. 7(1). link> doi> full text>
Djibougou AD, Nikièma AS, Hien AS, Sangaré I, Yameogo BK, Koala L, Ouari A, Diagbouga SP, Diabaté A, Price H, Fournet F, Dabiré RK. 2022. Serological and molecular detection of Leishmania species in dog peripheral blood from Bobo-Dioulasso city, a confirmation of canine leishmaniasis enzootic area for Burkina Faso. Infect Genet Evol, 105327, vol. 103. link> doi> full text>
Gunasekara SD, Nuwangi H, Wickramasinghe ND, Weerakoon K, Price HP, Dikomitis L, Agampodi SB. 2022. Placing Leishmaniasis in the Limelight through the Communicable Disease Surveillance System: An Experience from Sri Lanka. Pathogens, vol. 11(6). link> doi> full text>
Man E, Price HP, Hoskins C. Current and future strategies against cutaneous parasites. Pharmaceutical Research. link> doi> link> full text>
Polidano K, Parton L, Agampodi SB, Agampodi TC, Haileselassie BH, Lalani JMG, Mota C, Price HP, Rodrigues S, Tafere GR, Trad LAB, Zerihun Z, Dikomitis L. 2022. Community Engagement in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka: A Decolonial Approach for Global Health. Front Public Health, 823844, vol. 10. link> doi> full text>
Hameed H, King EFB, Doleckova K, Bartholomew B, Hollinshead J, Mbye H, Ullah I, Walker K, Van Veelen M, Abou-Akkada SS, Nash RJ, Horrocks PD, Price HP. 2021. Temperate Zone Plant Natural Products-A Novel Resource for Activity against Tropical Parasitic Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), vol. 14(3). link> doi> full text>
Paape D, Prendergast CT, Price HP, Doehl JSP, Smith DF. 2020. Genetic validation of Leishmania genes essential for amastigote survival in vivo using N-myristoyltransferase as a model. Parasit Vectors, 132, vol. 13(1). link> doi> full text>
Agostino VS, Trinconi CM, Galuppo MK, Price H, Uliana SRB. 2020. Evaluation of NanoLuc, RedLuc and Luc2 as bioluminescent reporters in a cutaneous leishmaniasis model. Acta Tropica, 105444. doi> link> full text>
Berry SL, Walker K, Hoskins C, Telling ND, Price HP. 2019. Nanoparticle-mediated magnetic hyperthermia is an effective method for killing the human-infective protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana in vitro. Sci Rep, 1059, vol. 9(1). link> doi> full text>
Berry SL, Hameed H, Thomason A, Maciej-Hulme ML, Saif Abou-Akkada S, Horrocks P, Price HP. 2018. Development of NanoLuc-PEST expressing Leishmania mexicana as a new drug discovery tool for axenic- and intramacrophage-based assays. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, e0006639, vol. 12(7). link> doi> full text>
Price HP. 2018. Review of “Molecular Biology of Kinetoplastid Parasites” edited by Hemanta K. Majumder. Parasites & Vectors, Article 401, vol. 11(1). doi>
Maciej-Hulme ML, Skidmore MA, Price HP. 2018. The role of heparan sulfate in host macrophage infection by Leishmania species. Biochemical Society Transactions. link> doi> link> full text>
El-Faham MH, Wheatcroft-Francklow KJ, Price HP, Sayers JR, Doenhoff MJ. 2017. Schistosoma mansoni cercarial elastase (SmCE): differences in immunogenic properties of native and recombinant forms. Parasitology, 1356-1364, vol. 144(10). link> doi> full text>
Sangaré I, Djibougou AD, Yaméogo BK, Drabo F, Diabaté A, Banuls A, Fournet F, Price HP, Guiguemdé RT, Dabiré RK. 2016. First Detection of Leishmania infantum in Domestic Dogs from Burkina Faso (West Africa). Research Journal of Parasitology. doi> full text>
Wright MH, Paape D, Price HP, Smith DF, Tate EW. 2016. Global Profiling and Inhibition of Protein Lipidation in Vector and Host Stages of the Sleeping Sickness Parasite Trypanosoma brucei. ACS Infect Dis, 427-441, vol. 2(6). link> doi> full text>
Price H, Paape D, Hodgkinson MR, Farrant K, Stark M, Smith DF. 2013. The Leishmania major BBSome subunit BBS1 is essential for parasite virulence in the mammalian host (in press). Molecular Biology. doi>
MacLean L, Myburgh E, Rodgers J, Price HP. 2013. Imaging African trypanosomes. PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, 283-294, vol. 35(9-10). link> doi> full text>
Price H. 2013. Crystal structure of the small GTPase Arl6/BBS3 from Trypanosoma brucei. Protein Science, 196-203, vol. 22(2). doi>
Price H, Hodgkinson MR, Smith BA, Carrington M, Stark M, Smith DF. 2012. A role for the Vesicle-Associated Tubulin Binding Protein ARL6 (BBS3) in Flagellum Extension in Trypanosoma brucei. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: Molecular Cell Research, 1178-1191, vol. 1823(7). doi>
Price H, Hodgkinson MR, Curwen RS, MacLean LM, Brannigan JA, Carrington M, Smith BA, Ashford DA, Stark M, Smith DF. 2012. The Orthologue of Sjogrens Syndrome Nuclear Autoantigen 1 (SSNA1) in Trypanosoma brucei is an Immunogenice self-assembling molecule. PLoS One, Article e31842, vol. 7. doi>
Ramos CS, Yokoyama-Yasunaka JK, Guerra-Giraldez C, Price H, Mortara RA, Smith DF, Uliana SR. 2011. Leishmania amazonensis META2 protein confers protection against heat shock and oxidative stress. Exp Parasitol, 228-237, vol. 127. doi>
Sadlova J, Price H, Smith BA, Votypka J, Volf P, Smith DF. 2010. The stage regulated HASPB and SHERP proteins are essential for differentiation of the protozoan parasite Leishmania major in its sand fly vector, Phlebotomus papatasi. Cell Microbiology, 1765-1779, vol. 12. doi>
Price H, Peltan A, Stark M, Smith DF. 2010. The small GTPase ARL2 is required for cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 123-131, vol. 173. doi>
Frearson JA, Brand S, McElroy SP, Cleghorn LA, Smid O, Stojanovski L, Price H, Guther ML, Torrie LS, Robinson DA, Hallyburton I, Mpamhanga CP, Brannigan JA, Wilkinson AJ, Hodgkinson M, Hui R, Qiu W, Raimi OG, van Aalten DM, Brenk R, Gilbert IH, Read KD, Fairlamb AH, Ferguson MA, Smith DF, Wyatt PG. 2010. N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors as new leads to treat sleeping sickness. Nature, 728-732, vol. 464. doi>
Price H, Guther MLS, Ferguson MAJ, Smith DF. 2010. Myristoyl-CoA: protein N-myristoyltrasferase depletion in trypanosomes causes avirulence and endocytic defects. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 55-58, vol. 169(1). doi>
Brannigan JA, Smith BA, Yu Z, Brzozowski AM, Hodgkinson MR, Maroof A, Price H, Meier F, Leatherbarrow RJ, Tate EW, Smith DF, Wilkinson AJ. 2010. N-myristoyltransferase from Leishmania donovani: structural and functional characterisation of a potential drug target for visceral leishmaniasis. Journal of Molecular Biology, 985-999, vol. 396. doi>
Price H, MacLean L, Marrison J, O'Toole P, Smith DF. 2010. Validation of a new method for immobilising kinetoplastid parasites for live cell imaging. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 66-69, vol. 169(1). doi>
Mills E, Price HP, Johner A, Emerson JE, Smith DF. 2007. Kinetoplastid PPEF phosphatases: dual acylated proteins expressed in the endomembrane system of Leishmania. Mol Biochem Parasitol, 22-34, vol. 152(1). link> doi>
Price HP, Stark M, Smith B, Smith DF. 2007. TbARF1 influences lysosomal function but not endocytosis in procyclic stage Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol, 123-127, vol. 155(2). link> doi>
Price HP, Stark M, Smith DF. 2007. Trypanosoma brucei ARF1 plays a central role in endocytosis and golgi-lysosome trafficking. Mol Biol Cell, 864-873, vol. 18(3). link> doi>
Panethymitaki C, Bowyer PW, Price HP, Leatherbarrow RJ, Brown KA, Smith DF. 2006. Characterization and selective inhibition of myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase from Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major. Biochem J, 277-285, vol. 396(2). link> doi>
Denny PW, Shams-Eldin H, Price HP, Smith DF, Schwarz RT. 2006. The protozoan inositol phosphorylceramide synthase: a novel drug target that defines a new class of sphingolipid synthase. J Biol Chem, 28200-28209, vol. 281(38). link> doi>
Price HP, Goulding D, Smith DF. 2005. ARL1 has an essential role in Trypanosoma brucei. Biochem Soc Trans, 643-645, vol. 33(Pt 4). link> doi>
Price HP, Panethymitaki C, Goulding D, Smith DF. 2005. Functional analysis of TbARL1, an N-myristoylated Golgi protein essential for viability in bloodstream trypanosomes. J Cell Sci, 831-841, vol. 118(Pt 4). link> doi>
Kropf P, Freudenberg MA, Modolell M, Price HP, Herath S, Antoniazi S, Galanos C, Smith DF, Müller I. 2004. Toll-like receptor 4 contributes to efficient control of infection with the protozoan parasite Leishmania major. Infect Immun, 1920-1928, vol. 72(4). link> doi>
Antoniazi S, Price HP, Kropf P, Freudenberg MA, Galanos C, Smith DF, Müller I. 2004. Chemokine gene expression in toll-like receptor-competent and -deficient mice infected with Leishmania major. Infect Immun, 5168-5174, vol. 72(9). link> doi>
Price HP, Menon MR, Panethymitaki C, Goulding D, McKean PG, Smith DF. 2003. Myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase, an essential enzyme and potential drug target in kinetoplastid parasites. J Biol Chem, 7206-7214, vol. 278(9). link> doi>
Satterwhite E, Sonoki T, Willis TG, Harder L, Nowak R, Arriola EL, Liu H, Price HP, Gesk S, Steinemann D, Schlegelberger B, Oscier DG, Siebert R, Tucker PW, Dyer MJ. 2001. The BCL11 gene family: involvement of BCL11A in lymphoid malignancies. Blood, 3413-3420, vol. 98(12). link> doi>
Sanchez-Izquierdo D, Siebert R, Harder L, Marugan I, Gozzetti A, Price HP, Gesk S, Hernandez-Rivas JM, Benet I, Solé F, Sonoki T, Le Beau MM, Schlegelberger B, Dyer MJ, Garcia-Conde J, Martinez-Climent JA. 2001. Detection of translocations affecting the BCL6 locus in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. Leukemia, 1475-1484, vol. 15(9). link> doi>
Willis TG, Jadayel DM, Du MQ, Peng H, Perry AR, Abdul-Rauf M, Price H, Karran L, Majekodunmi O, Wlodarska I, Pan L, Crook T, Hamoudi R, Isaacson PG, Dyer MJ. 1999. Bcl10 is involved in t(1;14)(p22;q32) of MALT B cell lymphoma and mutated in multiple tumor types. Cell, 35-45, vol. 96(1). link> doi>
Darani HY, Curtis RH, McNeice C, Price HP, Sayers JR, Doenhoff MJ. 1997. Schistosoma mansoni: anomalous immunogenic properties of a 27 kDa larval serine protease associated with protective immunity. Parasitology, 237-247, vol. 115 ( Pt 3). link> doi>
Price HP, Doenhoff MJ, Sayers JR. 1997. Cloning, heterologous expression and antigenicity of a schistosome cercarial protease. Parasitology, 447-453, vol. 114 ( Pt 5). link> doi>
Sayers JR, Price HP, Fallon PG, Doenhoff MJ. 1995. AGA/AGG codon usage in parasites: implications for gene expression in Escherichia coli. Parasitol Today, 345-346, vol. 11(9). link> doi>

Chapters

MacLean L, Price H, O'Toole P. 2016. Exploring the Leishmania Hydrophilic Acylated Surface Protein B (HASPB) Export Pathway by Live Cell Imaging Methods. (vol. 1459). link> doi>

Grants and Admin

Research funding

EPSRC/GCRF research grant (co-I), Patient-centric supramolecular formulations of new antileishmanial drugs for Indian Communities, £906,252. 2020-2022.
NIHR RIGHT (co-PI), Empowering people with cutaneous leishmaniasis: intervention programme to improve patient journey and reduce stigma via community education (ECLIPSE), £4,576,819. 2019-2023.
Newton Fund Institutional Links grant (British Council/Mosharafa) (PI), Investigating drug resistance and new treatments for Trypanosoma evansi infection in Egyptian camels. 2017-19, £171,647.
MRC New Investigator Research grant (PI), BBSome trafficking: investigating a novel pathway associated with virulence in Leishmania. 2017-21, £438,690.
EPSRC RCUK Public Engagement with Research Catalysts (Co-I), Co-production and Creativity: ethos, typologies and innovation in public engagement practice. 2017-18, £57,117.
Wellcome Trust Seed Award (PI), Nanoparticle-induced hyperthermia as a Novel Therapy for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. 2015-17, £92,606.
Keele University Acorn PhD studentship (PI), ARF protein regulators as novel drug targets in Trypanosoma brucei. 2015-18, £55,209.
Royal Society research grant (PI), Functions & interactions of BBS1, novel virulence factor in the human pathogen Leishmania. 2014-15, £14,159.

Academic leadership roles

Research Director for the School of Life Sciences (Sept 2020-present)
Deputy Director for Postgraduate Research for the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele (2018-2020)
Postgraduate Research Lead for the School of Life Sciences (2016-2020)
GCRF Lead for the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele (2020)
Chair of the Keele University Genetic Modification Safety Sub-Committee (2018-21)
Vice-Chair of Keele University Ethical Review Panel 3 (ERP3) (2014-17)
Elected member of Keele University Senate (2016-19)
Member of the Keele University Advisory Group for Public Engagement and the Faculty of Natural Sciences outreach strategy group (2018-present)

External professional activities

Honorary Communications Secretary for the British Society for Parasitology (2018-21)
Deputy Editor for PLoS NTD (2020-present)
Review Editor in Understanding Health for the journal Frontiers in Young Minds
External Examiner for the MSc Tropical Disease Biology programme at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (2018-present)
Blogger for the BugBitten site (http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/bugbitten/)

School of Life Sciences,
Huxley Building,
Keele University,
Staffordshire,
ST5 5BG
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414

Enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414
Email: lifesciences.office@keele.ac.uk

Follow the School of Life Sciences

Professor Helen Price