Effect of mosquito diet supplement on Dengue transmission

Theme: Ecology genetics and evolution, Zoology and wildlife biology

Description: 

Dengue virus is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, and its global spread now places nearly half of the world’s population at risk. New interventions are being developed to complement existing control tools, including the use of Wolbachia—an endosymbiotic bacterium introduced into mosquitoes and released into the wild. This strategy has already been implemented in Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia.

For Wolbachia-based approaches to succeed, the bacterium must remain stable within mosquito populations, and infected mosquitoes must live long enough to transmit Wolbachia to their offsprings. This study will investigate whether modifying the diet of Aedes aegypti can increase Wolbachia density within mosquitoes, improve capacity of mosquitoes to block Dengue and improve their survival. The student will also assess the effect of diet supplementation on the life cycle of the mosquito.

Contact: Dr Maggy Lord