Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Genomics, Biochemistry, Genetics
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students
218
Tempe
Mosquitoes harbor microbes (or their microbiome) that significantly impact their biology and research on mosquito-microbe interactions is still emerging. In my lab, we aim to understand what factors shape the mosquito microbiome and how these microbes together with the mosquito host (i.e. mosquito holobiont) respond and adapt to evolutionary pressures such as long-term insecticide use. Our ultimate goal is to leverage our knowledge of these mosquito-microbe interactions to develop effective tools for mitigating the spread of mosquito borne diseases. We ask our research questions using laboratory mosquito strains as well as wild mosquito populations or their progeny in laboratory settings. We employ a combination of molecular, omics, bioinformatics, and classical entomology and microbial ecology tools to address our research questions.
We have established the first of its kind long-term mosquito holobiont evolutionary system using a laboratory strain of the Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. Fellows who join our team will be able to address specific research questions using this study system. Some of the questions that we are currently tackling include:
- How does the mosquito microbiome change over generations of insecticide pressure?
- Do these microbiome changes contribute to host insecticide resistance traits?
- Are there specific components of the microbiome that can reliably predict the onset of insecticide resistance?
- Do our laboratory observations reflect dynamics in field mosquito populations?
We have established the first of its kind long-term mosquito holobiont evolutionary system using a laboratory strain of the Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. Fellows who join our team will be able to address specific research questions using this study system. Some of the questions that we are currently tackling include:
- How does the mosquito microbiome change over generations of insecticide pressure?
- Do these microbiome changes contribute to host insecticide resistance traits?
- Are there specific components of the microbiome that can reliably predict the onset of insecticide resistance?
- Do our laboratory observations reflect dynamics in field mosquito populations?
- Ingenuity: Can devise practical solutions and simple tests
- Attention to detail: Can label, record, and document with precision.
- Learning agility: Can rapidly learn new methods and tools.
- Resilience: Can troubleshoot setbacks and sustain quality.
- Protocol adherence (BSL-2/ACL-2+): Can follow SOPs and safety rules precisely.
- Handle live organisms: Can handle live organisms safely and humanely (pet-care experience a plus).
- Basic wet laboratory skills or knowledge of
- Attention to detail: Can label, record, and document with precision.
- Learning agility: Can rapidly learn new methods and tools.
- Resilience: Can troubleshoot setbacks and sustain quality.
- Protocol adherence (BSL-2/ACL-2+): Can follow SOPs and safety rules precisely.
- Handle live organisms: Can handle live organisms safely and humanely (pet-care experience a plus).
- Basic wet laboratory skills or knowledge of
Nsa Dada
Tempe