Dr Fernanda Sales Coelho

Research Assistant

United Kingdom

Email
Fernanda

I am a Research Assistant at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, working within the Schistosomiasis and Snail Resource. I hold a PhD in Health Sciences with a focus on molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics, and have developed expertise in parasitology and host–parasite interactions.

In my current role, I support laboratory and field-based research aimed at advancing tools for schistosomiasis control. I have a technical background in molecular and cellular biology, including RNA interference, RT-qPCR and CRISPR-based approaches, and I contribute to collaborative research projects within an international research environment.

Affiliations

Department of Clinical Research

Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases

Teaching

I contribute to teaching activities across MSc modules at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. I serve as a tutor on the Neglected Tropical Diseases module, where I support student learning and contribute to assessment and marking.

I also contribute to the Core Parasitology and Entomology module by providing teaching materials and practical support for sessions focused on Schistosoma spp.

In addition, I support practical teaching within the MSc CID Vector Laboratory, where I assist with demonstrations and provide live Schistosoma parasites and snail material for teaching purposes.

Research

My research interests focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying host–parasite interactions, particularly in schistosomiasis. I am interested in gene regulation, functional genomics, and the application of molecular tools to better understand parasite biology and identify targets for disease control.

I am also interested in the development and application of laboratory and field-based approaches to support translational research and improve strategies for the control and monitoring of neglected tropical diseases.

Selected Publications

Schistosoma mansoni coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (SmCARM1) effect on parasite reproduction

Coelho, FS; Gava, SG; Andrade, LF; Geraldo, JA; Tavares, NC; Lunkes, FM N; Neves, RH; Machado-Silva, JR; Pierce, RJ; Oliveira, G; Mourão, MM;

2023

Frontiers in microbiology

Diminished adherence of Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic cell line to sporocysts of Schistosoma mansoni following programmed knockout of the allograft inflammatory factor

Coelho, FS; Rodpai, R; Miller, A; Karinshak, SE; Mann, VH; Dos Santos Carvalho, O; Caldeira, RL; De Moraes Mourão, M; Brindley, PJ; Ittiprasert, W;

2020

Parasites & Vectors

The Schistosome and Snail Resource (SSR): Enabling Access to Live Schistosome and Snail Resources for Translational Research

SALES COELHO, F; Cieplinski, A; Allan, F; Yardley, V; Emery, A; Bustinduy, A; Webster, B;

2026

The Schistosome and Snail Resource (SSR): Enabling Access to Live Schistosome and Snail Resources for Translational Research

SALES COELHO, F; Cieplinski, A; Allan, F; Yardley, V; Emery, A; Bustinduy, A; Webster, B;

2025

Theodor Bilharz Schistosomiasis Research in Germany and beyond

Laboratory and field validation of the recombinase polymerase amplification assay targeting the Schistosoma mansoni mitochondrial minisatellite region (SmMIT-RPA) for snail xenomonitoring for schistosomiasis.

Mesquita, SG; Gadd, G; Coelho, FS; Cieplinski, A; Emery, A; Lugli, EB; Simões, TC; Fonseca, CT; Caldeira, RL; Webster, B;

2024

International journal for parasitology

Coactivator Associated Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (SmCARM1) knockdown affects reproduction and tegument of Schistosoma mansoni

SALES COELHO, F; Gava, SG; Andrade, LF; Assis, J; Tavares, NC C D S; Lunkes, FM N; Neves, RH; Silva, JR M; Pierce, R; Oliveira, G; Mourao, MM;

2022

Expression of susceptibilityand resistance-related genes among different species and populations of Biomphalaria sp. unchallenged and challenged with Schistosoma mansoni

SALES COELHO, F; Montresor, LC; Torres, GP; Lunkes, FM N; Araujo, CB; Alves, TC; Brindley, PJ; Gomes, MD S; Caldeira, RL; Mourao, MD M;

2022

XVI International Symposium on Schistosomiasis

Pharmacological inhibition of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) induces global transcriptional deregulation and ultrastructural alterations that impair viability in Schistosoma mansoni.

Coutinho Carneiro, V; De Abreu da Silva, IC; Amaral, MS; Pereira, AS A; Silveira, GO; Pires, DD S; Verjovski-Almeida, S; Dekker, FJ; Rotili, D; Mai, A; Lopes-Torres, EJ; Robaa, D; Sippl, W; Pierce, RJ; Borrello, MT; Ganesan, A; Lancelot, J; Thiengo, S; Fernandez, MA; Vicentino, AR R; Mourão, MM; Coelho, FS; Fantappié, MR;

2020

PLoS neglected tropical diseases

Xq22 deletions and correlation with distinct neurological disease traits in females: Further evidence for a contiguous gene syndrome

Hijazi, H; Coelho, FS; Gonzaga‐Jauregui, C; Bernardini, L; Mar, SS; Manning, MA; Hanson‐Kahn, A; Naidu, S; Srivastava, S; Lee, JA; Jones, JR; Friez, MJ; Alberico, T; Torres, B; Fang, P; Cheung, SW; Song, X; Davis‐Williams, A; Jornlin, C; Wight, PA; Patyal, P; Taube, J; Poretti, A; Inoue, K; Zhang, F; ... Lupski, JR.

2019

Human Mutation

Regulation of Schistosoma mansoni Development and Reproduction by the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

Andrade, LF D; Mourão, MD M; Geraldo, JA; Coelho, FS; Silva, LL; Neves, RH; Volpini, A; Machado-Silva, JR; Araujo, N; Nacif-Pimenta, R; Caffrey, CR; Oliveira, G;

2014

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

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