MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research

Analysing how mosquito life traits and physiology influences antiviral immunity and vector competence

We are analysing the influence of sugar and blood feeding on antiviral immunity and vector competence.

Image: Aedes aegypti females fed with blue-coloured sugar (left) or not (right).

Characterising the importance of the interrelationships between microbiota, nutrition and host physiology 

We investigate how the mosquito microbiome influences host nutrition and metabolism and how this in turn affects physiology (immunity, reproduction) and vector competence in the mosquito vector Ae. aegypti.

Image: Mosquitoes host communities of microbes in their digestive tract, which influences various aspects of their biology including vector competence.

MOSAICS, a MOSquito Arbovirus omICS atlas to unravel mosquito-arbovirus interactions

We are currently developing a mosquito arbovirus omics atlas (MOSAICS) to get insights into organs’ response and contribution to whole body changes, response to blood meal and virus infection, and response to infection and dissemination. This collaborative work will provide to the vector research community a rich resource for investigations not previously possible. Collaboration with Buchon’s lab (Cornell University, US).

Assessing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in Scotland

This 3-year project, funded by the UKRI-DEFRA One Health Approaches to Vector-borne Diseases programme, is a multi-institutional collaboration between investigators at the University of Glasgow (UoG), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), with the aim of understanding the risk of mosquito-borne disease establishment in Scotland under current and future environmental scenarios. It involves a multidisciplinary programme of work spanning mosquito ecology, surveillance of vector-borne pathogens in avian reservoirs and mosquitoes, vector competence studies, ecological and epidemiological modelling.  We are partnering with Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government with the aim of filling evidence gaps to enable national risk assessment and policy development.  We are collaborating with stakeholders from environmental agencies in Scotland including Nature Scot, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Wetland and Wildfowl Trust, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and local councils.

Developing mosquito genetic tools to study mosquito-arbovirus interactions

We establish transgenic mosquitoes using site-specific transformation techniques and develop genetic tools such as the Gal4/UAS system to address gene function at the tissue level.

Image: Microinjection of mosquito eggs (left) and GFP transgenic larvae (right).

Identifying and characterizing mosquito genes involved in vector competence

In collaboration with other CVR research groups, we are identifing mosquito genes involved in arbovirus infection in vitro and further characterising them in vivo.

Image: Four identical confocal images symmetrically organized showing the female mosquito midgut, an epithelium (cell nuclei in blue) surrounded by visceral muscles (green). The protein p400 (stained in red) is expressed in tracheae, the respiratory system of insects. Credit: Former PhD student Floriane Almire (Awarded by 3I’S IMAGING COMPETITION).

Determining the roles of arboviral proteins during mosquito infection

In collaboration with other CVR members, we are investigating the role of bunyamwera NS proteins during mosquito infection.

Image: Mosquito gut infected with BUNV (green).

Examining how mosquito saliva-derived factors influence arbovirus infection in mammals

In collaboration with Dr McKimmie (University of Leeds), we characterise how mosquito biting and saliva enhances infection with a broad range of mosquito-borne viruses.

Interested in joining the laboratory for projects, PhD studies? Email emilie.pondeville@glasgow.ac.uk