51勛圖厙

Dr Eduard Roos

BSc Zool., BSc. Hons. Zool., PhD Mol. Biol.
Lecturer in Wildlife Health and Immunology

- - -

Eduard is a passionate wildlife researcher, driven by an inquisitive nature and a deep love for the natural world. His academic journey began at the University of Pretoria, where he earned a BSc in Zoology (2010–2013). During his final year, he had the unique opportunity to work under the mentorship of Prof. Armanda Bastos. His pursuit of knowledge continued at the University of the Free State, where he obtained a BSc Honours in Zoology (Molecular Parasitology) in 2014. This work significantly enhanced his understanding of host-parasite interactions and deepened his interest in molecular biology.

In 2015, he embarked on an MSc in Molecular Biology at Stellenbosch University, which later evolved into a PhD. His doctoral research, completed in 2018 under the supervision of Prof. Michele Miller and Dr Sven Parsons, focused on developing molecular diagnostic methods to detect Mycobacterium bovis (bovine tuberculosis) in Phacochoerus africanus (common warthog). His work also contributed to the understanding of M. bovis phylogenetics in wildlife species.

In 2019, he joined The Pirbright Institute in the UK as a postdoctoral scientist, specializing in investigating antibody cross-reactivity and developing advanced multicolour bio-imaging panels for flow cytometry in cattle. This work was instrumental in enhancing the accuracy of immunophenotyping in livestock disease research.

In 2022, he transitioned to industry with Clinomics (Pty) Ltd, where he took on the role of Specialist in Research and Development. His work centred on developing innovative diagnostics and immune therapies for animal health and contributed to advancing molecular techniques for detecting pathogens like Babesia species.

Currently, he serves as a Lecturer in Wildlife Health and Immunology at the 51勛圖厙. In this role, he integrates his academic expertise with practical applications in wildlife disease research. His focus remains on zoonotic disease surveillance and the development of diagnostic tools to support conservation and veterinary efforts across Africa.

Education and Experience:

Lecturer in Wildlife Health and Immunology

51勛圖厙, 2024-Present

Role: Teaching and conducting research in wildlife health and immunology.

Associate Editor – Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2021-Present)

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2021-Present

Role: Overseeing the editorial review process of submitted manuscripts, facilitating peer reviews, and ensuring the publication of high-quality research in wildlife health and disease.

Researcher

Agricultural Research Council, South Africa, 2024

Role: Focus on development and implementation of antibody phage display libraries of African buffalo challenged with FMDV.

Specialist in Research and Development

Clinomics, South Africa, 2022-2024

Role: Focus on development and implementation of antibody phage display libraries.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Pirbright Institute, 2019-2022

Role: Investigating antibody cross-reactivity and developing novel bio-imaging reagents for studying bovine immunology.

Qualifications:

PhD in Molecular Biology

Stellenbosch University, 2018

Dissertation: Development of molecular diagnostic techniques to detect Mycobacterium bovis infection in Phacochoerus africanus (Common Warthog).

BSc Honours in Zoology

University of the Free State, 2014

Dissertation: Molecular detection of haemoparasites from South African squamates.

BSc in Zoology

University of Pretoria, 2013.

Major: Zoology and Entomology

My research focuses on developing advanced diagnostics, vaccines, and understanding immune responses in wildlife and livestock species, aiming to enhance disease control and improve conservation efforts. My work addresses critical challenges in One Health, zoonotic diseases, and wildlife management, particularly in African ecosystems. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, I aim to contribute to both animal and public health, while promoting sustainable disease management practices. Here are some of my current projects:

Molecular Mechanisms of Immune Protection in Warthogs for Zoonotic and Livestock Disease Control

Wildlife species naturally resistant to diseases, such as warthogs, provide critical insights into immunity against pathogens like ASFV. By investigating the molecular immune pathways and genetic factors underlying warthogs' resistance, this research aims to translate these findings into strategies to bolster disease resilience in livestock. Leveraging these wildlife-derived insights offers a pioneering approach to disease control that enhances animal and public health alike.

One Health Dynamics of Q Fever in Namibian Wildlife and Livestock (In collaboration with UNAM and RVC)

This project investigates the epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in wildlife and its transmission between wildlife, livestock, and human communities in Namibia. By identifying transmission hotspots and risk factors, we aim to improve disease control strategies and public health outcomes. This project also supports capacity building at local institutions, enhancing Namibia’s ability to manage zoonotic diseases.

MHC Diversity and Immune Responses in African Wildlife

This project explores the genetic diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in African wildlife species, with a focus on how this diversity influences disease resistance and immune responses. Our findings will contribute to conservation strategies by improving our understanding of wildlife health and resilience to diseases in their natural environments.

Journal Publications

  1. Edmans, M.D., Connelley, T.K., Morgan, S., Pediongco, T.J., Jayaraman, S., Juno, J.A., Meehan, B.S., Dewar, P.M., Maze, E.A., Roos, E.O., Paudyal, B., Mak, J.Y., Liu, L., Fairlie, D.P., Wang, H., Corbett, A.J., McCluskey, J., Benedictus, L., Tchilian, E., Klenerman, P., Eckle, S.B., 2024. MAIT cell-MR1 reactivity is highly conserved across multiple divergent species. J. Biol. Chem. 300, 107338.
  2. Roos, E.O., Loubser, J., Kerr, T.J., Dippenaar, A., Streicher, E., Olea-Popelka, F., Robbe-Austerman, S., Stuber, T., Buss, P., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M.M., Warren, R.M., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2023. Whole genome sequencing improves the discrimination between Mycobacterium bovis strains on the southern border of Kruger National Park, South Africa. One Heal. 17, 100654.
  3. Roos, E.O., Mwangi, W.N., Gerner, W., Waters, R., Hammond, J.A., 2023. OMIP089: Cattle Tcell phenotyping by an 8color panel. Cytom. Part A 103, 12–15.
  4. Roos, E.O., BonnetDi Placido, M., Mwangi, W.N., Moffat, K., Fry, L.M., Waters, R., Hammond, J.A., 2023. OMIP085: Cattle Bcell phenotyping by an 8color panel. Cytom. Part A 103, 12–15.
  5. Lyashchenko, K.P., Sikar-Gang, A., Sridhara, A.A., Johnathan-Lee, A., Elahi, R., Greenwald, R., Lambotte, P., Esfandiari, J., Roos, E.O., Kerr, T.J., Miller, M.A., Thacker, T.C., Palmer, M. V, Waters, W.R., 2021. Use of blood matrices and alternative biological fluids for antibody detection in animal tuberculosis. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 239, 110303.
  6. Bernitz, N., Kerr, T.J., Goosen, W.J., Chileshe, J., Higgitt, R.L., Roos, E.O., Meiring, C., Gumbo, R., de Waal, C., Clarke, C., Smith, K., Goldswain, S., Sylvester, T.T., Kleynhans, L., Dippenaar, A., Buss, P.E., Cooper, D. V, Lyashchenko, K.P., Warren, R.M., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2021. Review of Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in South African Wildlife. Front. Vet. Sci. 8, 1–11.
  7. Neiffer, D., Hewlett, J., Buss, P., Rossouw, L., Hausler, G., DeKlerk-Lorist, L.-M., Roos, E., Olea-Popelka, F., Lubisi, B., Heath, L., Miller, M., 2021. Antibody prevalence to African swine fever virus, Mycobacterium bovis, foot-and-mouth disease virus, Rift Valley fever virus, Influenza A virus, and Brucella and Leptospira spp. In free-ranging warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) . J. Wildl. Dis. 57, 60–70.
  8. Meiring, C., Higgitt, R., Dippenaar, A., Roos, E., Buss, P., Hewlett, J., Cooper, D., Rogers, P., de KlerkLorist, L., van Schalkwyk, L., Hausler, G., van Helden, P., Möller, M., Warren, R., Miller, M., de Klerk-Lorist, L.M., van Schalkwyk, L., Hausler, G., van Helden, P., Möller, M., Warren, R., Miller, M., 2020. Characterizing epidemiological and genotypic features of Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Transbound. Emerg. Dis. tbed.13947.
  9. Roos, E.O., Scott, L.A., Ndou, S., Olea-Popelka, F., Buss, P.E., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M., Warren, R.M., van Helden, P.D., Sylvester, T.T., Miller, M.A., Parsons, S.D.C., 2019. Cytokine gene expression assay as a diagnostic tool for detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). Sci. Rep. 9, 16525.
  10. Chileshe, J., Roos, E.O., Goosen, W.J., Buss, P., Hausler, G., Rossouw, L., Manemela, T., van Helden, P., Warren, R., Parsons, S.D., Miller, M., 2019. An interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of the Mycobacterium bovis infection in white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 217, 109931.
  11. Miller, M.A., Gortazar, C., Roos, E.O., Risalde, M.A., Johnathan-Lee, A., Sridhara, A.A., Lyashchenko, K.P., 2019. Serological reactivity to MPB83 and CFP10/ESAT-6 antigens in three suid hosts of Mycobacterium bovis infection. Vet. Microbiol. 235, 285–288.
  12. Miller, M.A., Buss, P., Roos, E.O., Hausler, G., Dippenaar, A., Mitchell, E., van Schalkwyk, L., Robbe-Austerman, S., Waters, W.R., Sikar-Gang, A., Lyashchenko, K.P., Parsons, S.D.C., Warren, R., van Helden, P., 2019. Fatal Tuberculosis in a free-ranging African elephant and One Health implications of human pathogens in wildlife. Front. Vet. Sci. 6, 1–8.
  13. Bernitz, N., Kerr, T.J., Goosen, W.J., Clarke, C., Higgitt, R., Roos, E.O., Cooper, D. V., Warren, R.M., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2019. Parallel measurement of IFN-γ and IP-10 in QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT) plasma improves the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). Prev. Vet. Med. 169, 104700.
  14. Roos E.O., Olea-Popelka, F., Buss, P., Hausler, G.A., Warren, R., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M., Miller, M.A., 2018. Measuring antigen-specific responses in Mycobacterium bovis-infected warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) using the intradermal tuberculin test. BMC Vet. Res. 14, 360.
  15. Roos E.O., Olea-Popelka, F., Buss, P., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M., Cooper, D., Warren, R.M., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2018. IP-10: A potential biomarker for detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 201, 43–48.
  16. Roos, E.O., Olea-Popelka, F., Buss, P., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M., Cooper, D., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C.C., Miller, M.A., 2018. Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) in bovine tuberculosis-endemic regions of South Africa. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 65, 1182–1189.
  17. Bernitz, N., Goosen, W.J., Clarke, C., Kerr, T.J., Higgitt, R., Roos, E.O., Cooper, D. V., Warren, R.M., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2018. Parallel testing increases detection of Mycobacterium bovis-infected African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 204, 40–43.
  18. Bernitz, N., Clarke, C., Roos, E.O., Goosen, W.J., Cooper, D., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2018. Detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) using QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT) tubes and the Qiagen cattletype® IFN-gamma ELISA. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 196, 48–52.
  19. Miller, M.A., Buss, P., Parsons, S.D.C., Roos, E., Chileshe, J., Goosen, W.J., van Schalkwyk, L., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M., Hofmeyr, M., Hausler, G., Rossouw, L., Manamela, T., Mitchell, E.P., Warren, R., van Helden, P., 2018. Conservation of White Rhinoceroses Threatened by Bovine Tuberculosis, South Africa, 2016–2017. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 24, 2373–2375.
  20. Roos, E.O., Buss, P., de Klerk-Lorist, L.-M., Hewlett, J., Hausler, G.A., Rossouw, L., McCall, A.J., Cooper, D., van Helden, P.D., Parsons, S.D.C., Miller, M.A., 2016. Test performance of three serological assays for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in common warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 182, 79–84.

Oral Presentation

  1. Roos EO, Di Placido M, Gerner W, Moffat K, Mwangi W, Waters R, Hammond JA. The development of two optimised multicolour immunofluorescence panels to deep phenotype cattle B and T cells and their application to a FMDV vaccination study. 7th EVIW 29-31 August 2021
  2. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. Use of the QuantiFERON® TB-Gold (In Tube) system to detect Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). 61st Annual Academic Day 31 August 2017.
  3. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. IP-10 a promising biomarker for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs. ESSA and ZSSA Combined Congress 3-7 July 2017, CSIR ICC, Pretoria.
  4. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. Use of novel tools for the detection of bTB in warthogs. Veterinary Management of African Wildlife Conference February 2017, Onderstepoort, Pretoria.
  5. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. IP-10 a promising biomarker for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in warthogs. Stellenbosch University, Biomedical Science Research Day 2016.
  6. Roos EO, Goosen W, Sylvester T, Clarke C, Higgitt R, Bernitz N, Fitzermann Y, Parsons S, Miller M. Mycobacteria in sub-Saharan African wildlife: Where are we? What do we need to do? Cape Town Acid Fast Club November 2016
  7. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. Evaluation of diagnostic tests: Detecting Mycobacterial infection in African warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) using serological methods. 6th Annual Wildlife Research Symposium December 2015, Onderstepoort, Pretoria.
  8. Roos EO, Van As J, Thekisoe O. Molecular detection of haemoparasites from South African squamates. International Congress on Parasites of Wildlife and 43rd Annual PARSA Conference, At Skukuza, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Poster Presentation

  1. EO Roos, M di Placido, W Mwangi, K Moffat, R Waters, J Hammond. OMIPs for Bovine B and T cell subsets using flowcytometry. VetBioNet 3rd Annual Meeting, 17-18 December 2020.
  2. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. Detection and characterization of mycobacterial infections occurring in Phacochoerus africanus (Gmelin, 1788) (Common Warthog). 67th WDA Annual International Conference 5-10 August 2018.
  3. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. Applying serology as a method to detect Mycobacterium bovis in common warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). 60th Annual Academic Day 11 August 2016.
  4. Roos EO, Parsons SDC, Miller MA. Diagnostic tool evaluation: Detection of Mycobacterial infections in warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) using serological tests. 59th Annual Academic Day 13 August 2015.

Popular science communication

  1. , The Conversation, March 6, 2019.

Eduard is part of the lecturing team for the BSc and MSci programs in Biological Sciences, with a core focus on Wildlife Health Sciences. His teaching encompasses modules such as Phage Biology, Immunogenetics, Tuberculosis, Comparative Genomics, Disease Ecology in One Health, and Ecosystem Health, where he delivers lectures, leads journal clubs, and mentors students in research projects. Through these diverse topics, Eduard integrates principles of wildlife health, disease ecology, and conservation, preparing students to address complex challenges in One Health and biodiversity conservation.

Top of page