Theme: Vector biology & ecology
Studies range from laboratory-based investigations of molecular signalling pathways associated with vector life-history and susceptibility to infection, to field-based investigations of the fitness, behaviour and population dynamics of African malaria vectors under natural field conditions.
Other studies address the molecular mechanisms associated with vector competence, immunity and reproduction in mosquito vectors of arboviruses (e.g. dengue, Rift valley). We are also using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for understanding the physiology of other dipteran vectors including mosquitoes and tsetse flies.
Study organisms:
Malaria mosquito (Anopheles gambiae and An. arabiensis) and dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti), tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes) and associated model organisms of vectors e.g. fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)