Dr Omar Alfituri (PhD)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow and University Teacher

Biography

Background

Research Background

Immunologist with years of research experience in Infectious Diseases. I am interested in investigating host-pathogen interactions and the immune pathways triggered during disease. My work has involved research in parasitology, bacteriology, and general immunology. My research has also investigated disease and infection in multiple host backgrounds, including murine, bovine, ovine, and equine.

 

Teaching background

University Teacher in Immunology.

Teaching whole classes of undergraduate students, including lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, and assessment setting and marking. Experience in planning and developing course materials and exams, as well as grading and marking.

 

Public Engagement

I’m an active creator and participant of public engagement events and workshops.

Microorganisms | Pesky Parasites | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

More Milk Zuri?! | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Parasites: Battle for Survival | National Museums Scotland

Qualifications

Infection and Immunity, Doctor in Philosophy, Investigating the pathogenesis of African trypanosome infections via the skin, University of Edinburgh.

Award Date: 29 Jun 2019

 

Immunology, Bachelor of Science, Does Litomosoides sigmodontis infection in mice induce a regulatory B cell phenotype, and if so could DNA vaccinations consisting of mutated filarial nematode excretory-secretory products break this Breg phenotype?, University of Edinburgh

Award Date: 29 Jun 2013

Responsibilities & affiliations

Citizenship activities and committee responsibilities

  • Chair of the Easter Bush Campus Postdoctoral committee
  • CMVM Research Staff Committee
  • Easter Bush Campus Research Career Development committee
  • Easter Bush Campus Experience and Culture committee
  • Easter Bush Campus Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee
  • Easter Bush Campus Mental Health and Wellbeing committee
  • University of Edinburgh Concordat Implementation committee
  • University of Edinburgh BAME mentor

Undergraduate teaching

University Teacher in Immunology.

Teaching whole classes of undergraduate students, including lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, and assessment setting and marking. Experience in planning and developing course materials and exams, as well as grading and marking.

Research summary

Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Parasitology; Bacteriology; Genetics; One Health

Past project grants

IDG2023/28 - ECR2024 - Capability - Optimisation of novel spatial transcriptomics approach to unravelling the cellular origin of encoded messenger proteins in equine lung diseases.
Alfituri, O.
Principal Investigator
BBSRC
1/07/24 → 31/03/25

O.A. Alfituri, R. Blake, K. Jensen, N.A. Mabbott, J. Hope, J. Stevens. ‘Differential role of M cells in enteroid infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.’ Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. Sec. Veterinary and Zoonotic Infection, 14. 2024. Frontiers | Differential role of M cells in enteroid infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

A.F. Chapuis, O.A. Alfituri, J.C. Hope, J. Stevens, J. Moore, K. Mclean, D. Androscuk, I. Dry. ‘Expression and functional characterization of bovine receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL).’ Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 2024. Expression and functional characterization of bovine receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) - ScienceDirect

O.A. Alfituri, E.M. Mararo, P.C. Steketee, L.J. Morrison, N.A. Mabbott. ‘Dermal bacterial LPS-stimulation reduces susceptibility to intradermal Trypanosoma brucei infection.’ Scientific Reports, 10;11(1):9856. 2021. Dermal bacterial LPS-stimulation reduces susceptibility to intradermal Trypanosoma brucei infection | Scientific Reports

O.A. Alfituri, B.M Bradford, E. Paxton, L.J. Morrison, N.A. Mabbott. ‘Influence of the draining lymph nodes and organized lymphoid tissue microarchitecture on susceptibility to intradermal Trypanosoma brucei infection.’ Frontiers in Immunology. 2020. Frontiers | Influence of the Draining Lymph Nodes and Organized Lymphoid Tissue Microarchitecture on Susceptibility to Intradermal Trypanosoma brucei Infection

O.A. Alfituri, J.F. Quintana, A. MacLeod, P. Garside, R.A, Benson, J.M. Brewer, N. A. Mabbott, L.J. Morrison, P. Capewell.  ‘To the skin and beyond: the immune response to African trypanosomes as they enter and exit the vertebrate host.’ Frontiers in Immunology. 2020. Frontiers | To the Skin and Beyond: The Immune Response to African Trypanosomes as They Enter and Exit the Vertebrate Host

O.A. Alfituri, O. Ajibola, J.M. Brewer, P. Garside, R.A. Benson, T. Peel, L.J. Morrison, N.A. Mabbott. ‘Effects of host-derived chemokines on the motility and viability of Trypanosoma brucei.’ Parasite Immunology, 41, e12609. 2019. Effects of host‐derived chemokines on the motility and viability of Trypanosoma brucei - Alfituri - 2019 - Parasite Immunology - Wiley Online Library

 

P.C. Steketee, E.A. Dickie, J. Iremonger, K. Crouch, E. Paxton, S. Jayaraman, O.A. Alfituri, G. Awuah-Mensah, R. Ritchie, A. Schnaufer, T. Rowan, H.P. de Koning, C. Gadelha, B. Wickstead, M.P. Barrett, L.J Morrison. ‘Divergent metabolism between Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei results in differential sensitivity to metabolic inhibition.’ PLoS Pathogens, 17(7): e1009734. 2021. Divergent metabolism between Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei results in differential sensitivity to metabolic inhibition | PLOS Pathogens

 

 

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