The current research focus of my laboratory is investigating the olfactory system of Anopheles mosquitoes.
We have developed new strains of Anopheles mosquitoes, utilizing the Q-system we originally developed for use in Drosophila, to explore how living Anopheles mosquitoes respond to their olfactory environment. Current efforts are focused on exploring how insect repellents affect a mosquito’s sense of smell, from the neurons that are activated, to the receptors required, to the behaviors that are elicited. Other projects include (but are not limited to): investigating the dynamic regulation of mosquito odorant receptors, generating and characterizing knock-ins and mutants of mosquito olfactory receptors, and exploring biting behaviors.
We are always looking for motivated graduate students, so if any of the above sounds interesting, email me to learn more about the lab. Or visit our lab webpage.
Keywords: Mosquito olfaction, Anopheles olfaction, Insect olfaction, Q-system, QF2, Neurogenetic, Mosquito olfactory system