Research Areas: Host-pathogen interactions, Vector biology, Malaria, Complement, Innate immunity
Our main research interest is innate immune recognition and elimination of pathogens. Our work focuses on the interaction between mosquitoes and the animal and human pathogens they transmit. As insects are the most species-rich group of animals on the planet and occupy a vast array of ecological niches, they are a fantastic example of the potentcy of innate defenses.
Rather than passive carriers of malaria, mosquitoes are actually amazing parasite killers. In fact, the vast majority of the parasites ingested when a mosquito bites a malarious person are attacked and eliminated before they can mount an infection. It is the few parasites that survive (even one is sufficient), that are ultimately responsible for disease transmission.
Some of the questions we are addressing:
-What is the basis of pathogen recognition by the mosquito innate immune system and how do some pathogens manage to escape?
-What is the biochemical mechanism leading from innate recognition to pathogen killing?
-How does mosquito physiology interface with innate immune activation?
Arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, sand flies and ticks are responsible for transmission of a large number of animal and human diseases worldwide. Studying these organisms may reveal general insights about innate immune defense mechanisms as well as provide novel avenues for controlling the terrible diseases they spread.