Dr. Heliana Dundarova
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBER-BAS)
Sofia, Bulgaria
Topics of interest: Bat lyssavirus detection, ecotoxicology, and advanced diagnostic methods such as ELISA and PCR.
BAVBD contribution:
I would like to investigate the role of cave-dwelling bats as vectors and reservoirs of viruses in the following fields:
Bat and Virus Phylogeny and Evolution:
By leveraging bats as a primary research group, I aim to explore their phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history, particularly in the context of their role as reservoirs of viruses. This includes studying how their phylogenetic connections and evolutionary development influence the distribution of viruses like lyssavirus.
Lyssavirus Detection and Surveillance:
Our team, within the Department of Ecosystem Research, Environmental Risk Assessment, and Conservation Biology, is well-equipped with advanced diagnostic tools such as ELISA and PCR. I propose collaborating on enhancing the surveillance of bat lyssavirus and studying its distribution across specific bat species and underground habitats.
Ecotoxicology Studies:
I am interested in investigating the impact of environmental contaminants on bat populations, particularly the effects of pesticide exposure, which can lead to chromosome breakage or missegregation, resulting in micronucleus formation. This research would complement our expertise in assessing environmental risks and ecosystem health.
Diagnostics and Laboratory Techniques:
I would like to collaborate on refining diagnostic methodologies for lyssavirus detection in bats, focusing on serological and molecular approaches (e.g., ELISA, PCR). This collaboration would help standardize methods and improve data collection across various studies.
By combining my expertise in bat ecology, virology, and conservation biology, I hope to contribute to the broader goals of BAVBD, particularly in understanding the ecological and evolutionary drivers of virus-host interactions.
Relevant references:
Dundarova H, Pikula J, Zukalova K, Bednarikova S, Mrhalek P, Piacek V, Petrov B, Kirov K, Trifonov V, Rashis R, Zukal J. 2024. A site of bat conservation concern: Madzharovo, Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 70: 84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-024-01835-x
Nemcova M, Zukal J, Seidlova V, Bednarikova S, Havelkova B, Dundarova H, Pikula J. 2024.Temperature-dependent in vitro hepatocytotoxicity of insecticides in bats. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 29:104544. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104544.
Dundarova H, Ostoich P, Alexieva I, Neov B, Ivanova-Aleksandrova N, Emilova R, Georgieva I, Kirov K, Bednarikova S, Zukalova K, Pikula J, Zukal J. 2024. ELISA Detection of European Lyssaviruses in Bulgarian Cave-dwelling Bats. Acta Zool Bulg, Supplement 20 (August 2024), 161-166. https://www.acta-zoologica-bulgarica.eu/2024/Suppl_20_19
Dundarova H, Ivanova-Aleksandrova N, Bednarikova S, Georgieva I, Kirov K, Miteva K, Neov B, Ostoich P, Pikula J, Zukal J, Hristov P. 2023. Phylogeographic Aspects of Bat Lyssaviruses in Europe: A Review. Pathogens, 12(9),1089. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12091089
Seidlova V, Zukal J, Brichta J, Anisimov N, Apoznański G, Bandouchova H, Bartonička T, Berková H, Botvinkin A D, Heger T, Dundarova H, Kokurewicz H, Linhart P, Orlov O L, Piacek V, Presetnik P, Shumkina A P, Tiunov M P, Treml F, Pikula J. 2020. Active surveillance for antibodies confirms circulation of lyssaviruses in Palearctic bats. 2020. BMC Veterinary Research, 16, 482. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02702-y
Daszak P, das Neves C, Amuasi J, Hayman D, Kuiken T, Roche B, Zambrana-Torrelio C, Buss P, Dundarova H, Feferholtz Y, Foldvari G, Igbinosa E, Junglen S, Liu Q, Suzan G, Uhart M, Wannous C, Woolaston K, Mosig Reidl P, O'Brien K, Pascual U, Stoett P, Li H, Ngo H T, IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 2020. Workshop Report on Biodiversity and Pandemics of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem ServicesIPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. https://zenodo.org/record/4158500#.X6KWoogzY2x