Raymond St. Leger
Encyclopedia
Raymond J. St. Leger is an American mycologist, entomologist and molecular biologist who is currently a professor of entomology
at the University of Maryland, College Park
. He was the recipient of the Universities 2009 Distinguished Scholar Teacher Award. St. Leger has published almost 150 scientific papers and book chapters on fungal pathogens of plants, animals and insects, and on the reactions of hosts to infection. St. Leger’s dominating research interest has been directed toward understanding entomopathogenic fungus
, or fungi that act as parasites of insects, and using them 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 behavior and evolution
, fungal toxins, molecular biology of fungi, and insect control with fungi.
St. Leger's most controversial work has involved altering insect pathogens so that they carry genes encoding spider
and scorpion
toxins. These engineered pathogens have the potential to control insect borne diseases such as malaria
, and insect pests of agricultural importance. Although this avenue of work has been praised in many quarters, it was also suggested that it may be so emotive outside of science as to foster acute anxiety in the wider world (Bernard Dixon, Editorial comment in Microbe, Vol. 3 page 216, 2008).
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.
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). St. Leger gave the Founders lecture at the 2009 Society of Invertebrate Pathology Meeting.
sf. anisopliae overexpressing chitinase from Metarhizium anisopliae sf. acridum show early induction of native chitinase but are not altered in pathogenicity to Manduca sexta . Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
78: 260-266.
Wang C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2006. A collagenous protective coat enables Metarhizium anisopliae to evade insect immune responses. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 103: 6647-6652
Pal, S., St. Leger, R.J. and Wu, L.P. 2007. Fungal Peptide Destruxin A Plays a Specific Role in Suppressing the Innate Immune Response in Drosophila melanogaster J. Biol. Chem. 282: 8969 - 8977
Wang, C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2007 Metarhizium anisopliae perilipin homolog MPL1 regulates lipid metabolism, appressorial turgor pressure and virulence. J. Biol. Chem. 282: 21110-21115
Wang, C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2007.The MAD1 adhesin of Metarhizium anisopliae links adhesion with blastospore production and virulence to insects: the MAD2 adhesin enables attachment to plants. Eukaryotic Cell 6: 808-816.
Wang, C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2007. A scorpion neurotoxin increases the potency of a fungal insecticide. Nature Biotech. 25: 1455-1456
Wang, C and St. Leger, R.J., 2008 MOS1 Osmosensor of Metarhizium anisopliae is required foradaptation to insect host hemolymph. Eukaryotic Cell 7: doi:10.1128/EC.00310-07
Pava-Ripoll, M., Posada, FJ., Momen, B., Wang, C and St. Leger, RJ. 2008. Increased pathogenicity against coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) by Metarhizium anisopliae expressing the scorpion toxin (AaIT) gene. J. Invertebre. Pathol. 99: 220-226
Li L., Pischetsrieder M., St. Leger R. J., Wang C. S. 2008. Associated links among mtDNA glycation, oxidative stress and colony sectorization in Metarhizium anisopliae. Fungal Genetics and Biology, 45: 1300-1306.
Fang, W., Pava-Ripoll, M., Wang, S and St. Leger R. J. 2009. Protein kinase A regulates production of virulence determinants by the entomopathogenic fungus, metarhizium anisopliae. Funga. Genet. Biology. Doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2008.12.001
Wang, S., Leclerque, A., Pava-Rippoll, Fang, W. and St. Leger, R.J. 2009. Comparative genomics using microarrays reveals divergence and loss of virulence associated genes in host specific strains of Metarhizium anisopliae. Eukaryotic Cell. 8: 888-898
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. He was the recipient of the Universities 2009 Distinguished Scholar Teacher Award. St. Leger has published almost 150 scientific papers and book chapters on fungal pathogens of plants, animals and insects, and on the reactions of hosts to infection. St. Leger’s dominating research interest has been directed toward understanding entomopathogenic fungus
Entomopathogenic fungus
An entomopathogenic fungus is a fungus that can act as a parasite of insects and kills or seriously disables them.-Typical life cycle:These fungi usually attach to the external body surface of insects in the form of microscopic spores...
, or fungi that act as parasites of insects, and using them 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 behavior and evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
, fungal toxins, molecular biology of fungi, and insect control with fungi.
St. Leger's most controversial work has involved altering insect pathogens so that they carry genes encoding spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
and scorpion
Scorpion
Scorpions are predatory arthropod animals of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by the pair of grasping claws and the narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, ending with a venomous stinger...
toxins. These engineered pathogens have the potential to control insect borne diseases such as malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, and insect pests of agricultural importance. Although this avenue of work has been praised in many quarters, it was also suggested that it may be so emotive outside of science as to foster acute anxiety in the wider world (Bernard Dixon, Editorial comment in Microbe, Vol. 3 page 216, 2008).
St. Leger received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in biology from Exeter University, in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1978, a Master of Science
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in entomology in 1980 from Birkbeck College London University, and a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in 1985 in crop protection from the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
, near Bath, England.
St. Leger has been a consultant on biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
to many private and public concerns, including the USDA, the NSF
NSF
-Politics:* National Service Framework, any of a series of British government policies on medical care* National Socialist Front, a Swedish Nazi party* NS-Frauenschaft, the women's wing of the former German Nazi party...
, the US State Department and the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
. St. Leger has also served on many national and international policy making committees including the Bill Gates
Bill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
funded National Academies Committee to study technologies to benefit SubSaharan Africa and South Asia (2007). St. Leger gave the Founders lecture at the 2009 Society of Invertebrate Pathology Meeting.
Recent Publications
Screen, S.E., Hu, G. and St Leger, R. J. 2002. Transformants of Metarhizium anisopliaeMetarhizium anisopliae
Metarhizium anisopliae, formerly known as Entomophthora anisopliae , is a fungus that grows naturally in soils throughout the world and causes disease in various insects by acting as a parasite. Ilya I. Mechnikov named it after the insect species it was originally isolated from: the beetle...
sf. anisopliae overexpressing chitinase from Metarhizium anisopliae sf. acridum show early induction of native chitinase but are not altered in pathogenicity to Manduca sexta . Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
The Journal of Invertebrate Pathology is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering research on the induction and pathogenesis of diseases of invertebrates, including the suppression of diseases in beneficial species, and the use of diseases in controlling undesirable species...
78: 260-266.
Wang C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2006. A collagenous protective coat enables Metarhizium anisopliae to evade insect immune responses. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 103: 6647-6652
Pal, S., St. Leger, R.J. and Wu, L.P. 2007. Fungal Peptide Destruxin A Plays a Specific Role in Suppressing the Innate Immune Response in Drosophila melanogaster J. Biol. Chem. 282: 8969 - 8977
Wang, C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2007 Metarhizium anisopliae perilipin homolog MPL1 regulates lipid metabolism, appressorial turgor pressure and virulence. J. Biol. Chem. 282: 21110-21115
Wang, C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2007.The MAD1 adhesin of Metarhizium anisopliae links adhesion with blastospore production and virulence to insects: the MAD2 adhesin enables attachment to plants. Eukaryotic Cell 6: 808-816.
Wang, C. and St. Leger, R.J. 2007. A scorpion neurotoxin increases the potency of a fungal insecticide. Nature Biotech. 25: 1455-1456
Wang, C and St. Leger, R.J., 2008 MOS1 Osmosensor of Metarhizium anisopliae is required foradaptation to insect host hemolymph. Eukaryotic Cell 7: doi:10.1128/EC.00310-07
Pava-Ripoll, M., Posada, FJ., Momen, B., Wang, C and St. Leger, RJ. 2008. Increased pathogenicity against coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) by Metarhizium anisopliae expressing the scorpion toxin (AaIT) gene. J. Invertebre. Pathol. 99: 220-226
Li L., Pischetsrieder M., St. Leger R. J., Wang C. S. 2008. Associated links among mtDNA glycation, oxidative stress and colony sectorization in Metarhizium anisopliae. Fungal Genetics and Biology, 45: 1300-1306.
Fang, W., Pava-Ripoll, M., Wang, S and St. Leger R. J. 2009. Protein kinase A regulates production of virulence determinants by the entomopathogenic fungus, metarhizium anisopliae. Funga. Genet. Biology. Doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2008.12.001
Wang, S., Leclerque, A., Pava-Rippoll, Fang, W. and St. Leger, R.J. 2009. Comparative genomics using microarrays reveals divergence and loss of virulence associated genes in host specific strains of Metarhizium anisopliae. Eukaryotic Cell. 8: 888-898