Dr. Perot Saelao

Molecular Biologist (Bioinformatics)

Phone: (830) 223-2788

Email: Perot.Saelao at usda.org

My research interests center around understanding the genetic root of disease resistance and susceptibility and how improvements in the lab can be translated to improvements in the agricultural sector. I attempt to utilize genetic and genomic approaches to create a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in host-pathogen and pest interactions. I believe that by applying my expertise in both the molecular sciences and computational methods, I can better develop a holistic understanding of the systems we investigate in the lab.

Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=27wRgXwAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1171-9187

CV 

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Complete mitochondrial genomes reveal the intraspecific variation and phylogeography of the Caucasian soft tick relapsing fever vector; Ornithodoros (pavlovskyella) verrucosus (Ixodida: Argasidae) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Filatov, S., Kneubehl, A.R., Krishnavajhala, A., Melashvili, G., Tsitsishvili, A., Mamedova, K., Saelao, P., Perez De Leon, A.A., Lopez, J.E. 2024. Complete mitochondrial genomes reveal the intraspecific variation and phylogeography of the Caucasian soft tick relapsing fever vector; Ornithodoros (pavlovskyella) verrucosus (Ixodida: Argasidae). Infection, Genetics and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105673.
    
  • Identifying the sex chromosome and sex determination genes in the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • A glimpse into the world of microRNAs in hard ticks-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Dermacentor albipictus primary genome version 2 submission-(Database / Dataset)
    Saelao, P., Benoit, J., Olafson, P.U., Luecke, D.M., Lohmeyer, K.H., Bendele, K.G. 2024. Dermacentor albipictus primary genome version 2 submission. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/datasets/genome/GCA_038994185.2/.
    
  • Salivary cholinesterases of blood feeding arthropod vectors: A likely modulator of host immune responses-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Ornithodoros turicata genome submission-(Database / Dataset)
    Saelao, P., Kneubehl, A.R., Lopez, J.E. 2024. Ornithodoros turicata genome submission. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PRJNA832905.
    
  • Dermacentor albipictus submissions-(Database / Dataset)
    Saelao, P., Benoit, J., Olafson, P.U. 2023. Dermacentor albipictus submissions. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PRJNA30967.
    
  • Complete chromosome-level genome assembly data from the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Comparison of high throughput RNA sequences between Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis revealed consistent differential gene expression that is required for the Babesia life cycle in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Capelli-Peixoto, J., Saelao, P., Johnson, W.C., Kappmeyer, L.S., Reif, K.E., Masterson, H.E., Taus, N.S., Suarez, C.E., Brayton, K.A., Ueti, M.W. 2022. Comparison of high throughput RNA sequences between Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis revealed consistent differential gene expression that is required for the Babesia life cycle in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 12. Article 1093338. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.1093338.
    
  • Host response to successive challenges with lentogenic and velogenic Newcastle disease virus in local chickens of Ghana -(Abstract Only)
    Botchway, P.K., Amuzu-Aweh, E.N., Naazie, A., Aning, G.K., Otsyina, H.R., Saelao, P., Wang, Y., Zhou, H., Walugembe, M., Lamont, S.J. 2022. Host response to successive challenges with lentogenic and velogenic Newcastle disease virus in local chickens of Ghana. Poultry Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.102138.
    
  • Report of complete chromosome-level genome assembly of the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)-(Database / Dataset)
    Allen, M.L., Miles, G.P., Saelao, P., Cross, D., Hill, J., Vargo, E., Grodowitz, M.J. 2022. Report of complete chromosome-level genome assembly of the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genbank. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
    
  • Evaluation of the repellency of Stop the Bites® botanical acaricide to white-tailed deer at corn feeders -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Goolsby, J., Maestas, L.P., Saelao, P., Lohmeyer, K.H. 2022. Evaluation of the repellency of Stop the Bites® botanical acaricide to white-tailed deer at corn feeders. Southwestern Entomologist. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.047.0202.
    
  • A method for the isolation of miRNAs from tick ex vivo salivary gland cultures and extracellular vesicles -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Leal-Galvan, B., Harvey, C., Thomas, D.B., Saelao, P., Oliva Chavez, A. 2022. A method for the isolation of miRNAs from tick ex vivo salivary gland cultures and extracellular vesicles. The Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). https://doi.org/10.3791/63618.
    
  • Integrative alternative tactics for ixodid control -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Showler, A., Saelao, P. 2022. Integrative alternative tactics for ixodid control. Insects. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13030302.
    
  • Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) mortality levels in South Texas after historic freeze event-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Goolsby, J., Saelao, P., May, M.A., Goldsmith, B. 2021. Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) mortality levels in South Texas after historic freeze event. Subtropical Agriculture and Environments. 72:7-11.
    
  • Distinct transcriptomic response to Newcastle disease virus infection during heat stress in chicken tracheal epithelial tissue.-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Biosurveillance and Research Needs Involving Area-wide Systematic Active Sampling to Enhance Integrated Cattle Fever Tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. (Ixodida: Ixodidae), Eradication-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Phylogenomics of tick inward rectifier potassium channels and their potential as targets to innovate control technologies -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Saelao, P., Hickner, P.V., Bendele, K.G., Perez De Leon, A.A. 2021. Phylogenomics of tick inward rectifier potassium channels and their potential as targets to innovate control technologies. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.647020.
    
  • The genome of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, reveals potential mechanisms underlying reproduction, host interactions, and novel targets for pest control -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Olafson, P.U., Askoy, S., Attardo, G.M., Buckmeier, B.G., Chen, X., Coates, C.J., Davis, M.C., Dykema, J., Emrich, S., Friedrich, M., Holmes, C.J., Ioannidis, P., Jansen, E.N., Jennings, E.M., Lawson, D., Martinson, E.O., Maslen, G.L., Meisel, R.P., Murphy, T.D., Nayduch, D., Nelson, D.R., Oyen, K.J., Raszick, T., Ribeiro, J.M., Robertson, H.M., Rosendale, A.J., Sackton, T.B., Saelao, P., Swiger, S.L., Sze, S., Tarone, A., Taylor, D.B., Warren, W.C., Waterhouse, R.M., Weirauch, M.T., Werren, J.H., Wilson, R.K., Zdobnov, E.M., Benoit, J.B. 2021. The genome of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, reveals potential mechanisms underlying reproduction, host interactions, and novel targets for pest control. BMC Biology. 19:41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-00975-9.
    
  • Genome-wide patterns of differentiation within and across U.S. commercial honey bee stocks -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Saelao, P., Simone-Finstrom, M., Avalos, A., Bilodeau, A.L., Danka, R.G., De Guzman, L.I., Rinkevich Jr, F.D., Tokarz, P.G. 2020. Genome-wide patterns of differentiation within and across U.S. commercial honey bee stocks. BMC Genomics. 21:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-07111-x.
    
  • Integrative taxonomic description of chewing lice infesting deer: Odocoileus virginianus veraecrucis pediculosis with Tricholipeurus lipeuroides in Veracruz, Mexico-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Integrated transcriptome and histone modification analysis reveals NDV infection under heat stress affects bursa development and proliferation in susceptible chicken line -(Popular Publication)
    Chanthavixay, G., Kern, C., Wang, Y., Saelao, P., Lamont, S.J., Gallardo, R.A., Rincon, G., Zhou, H. 2020. Integrated transcriptome and histone modification analysis reveals NDV infection under heat stress affects bursa development and proliferation in susceptible chicken line. Frontiers in Veterinary Infectious Diseases. 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.567812.
    
  • Genome-wide patterns of genetic differentiation within and across U.S. commercial honey bee stocks -(Proceedings)
    Saelao, P., Simone-Finstrom, M., Avalos, A., Bilodeau, A.L., Danka, R.G., De Guzman, L.I., Rinkevich Jr, F.D. 2020. Genome-wide patterns of genetic differentiation within and across U.S. commercial honey bee stocks. Insects. 11(6):362. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11060362.
    
  • A comparative analysis of chromatin accessibility in cattle, pig, and mouse tissues -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Halstead, M., Kern, C., Saelao, P., Wang, Y., Chanthavixay, G., Medrano, J.F., Van Eenennaam, A.L., Korf, I., Tuggle, C.K., Ernst, C.W., Zhou, H., Ross, P.J. 2020. A comparative analysis of chromatin accessibility in cattle, pig, and mouse tissues. BMC Genomics. 21:698. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-07078-9.
    
  • Honey bee microbiome is stabilized in the presence of propolis. -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Saelao, P., Borba, R.S., Ricigliano, V.A., Spivak, M., Simone-Finstrom, M. 2020. Honey bee microbiome is stabilized in the presence of propolis. 2020. Biology Letters. 16:1-5. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0003.
    
  • Utilizing whole genome sequencing to identify genomic signatures across US commercial honey bee lines.-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Identification of genomic signatures across seven US commercial honey bee lines using whole genome pooled sequencing.-(Abstract Only)
    
    

• Projects

  Genetics of Veterinary Pests In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:441381

  Towards Novel Acaricide Development Against Cattle Fever Tick: GPCR Target Validation, Tissue Localization and Bioactivity of Chemical Hits Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)   Accession Number:441862

  Using Genomics to Mitigate the Threat of the Invasive Asian Longhorned Tick, Haemaphysalis Longicornis, in the United States Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)   Accession Number:443425

  Exploring Alternative Uses for Muscid Antimicrobial Effectors Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440705

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