A5009797870- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Plant and animal studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Redox biology and oxidative stress
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
Florida International University
2015-2025
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2001-2025
Rockefeller University
2013-2025
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
2025
Molecular Research Institute
2015
New York University
2004-2011
Regenerative processes are critical to maintain tissue homeostasis in high-turnover tissues. At the same time, proliferation of stem and progenitor cells has be carefully controlled prevent hyper-proliferative diseases. Mechanisms that ensure this balance, thus promoting proliferative homeostasis, expected for longevity metazoans. The intestinal epithelium Drosophila provides an accessible model which test prediction. In aging flies, degenerates due over-proliferation (ISCs)...
A complete genome sequence and the advent of editing open up non-traditional model organisms to mechanistic genetic studies. The mosquito Aedes aegypti is an important vector infectious diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever has a large complex genome, which slowed annotation efforts. We used comprehensive transcriptomic analysis adult gene expression improve provide detailed tissue-specific catalogue neural at different behavioral states. carried out deep RNA sequencing across...
Sensory compensation occurs when loss of one sense leads to enhanced perception by another sense. We have identified a previously undescribed mechanism sensory in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Odorant receptor co-receptor ( Orco ) mutants show attraction human skin temperature and increased heat-evoked neuronal activity foreleg neurons. Ir140 , foreleg-enriched member the ionotropic (IR) superfamily receptors, is up-regulated mutant legs. double do not heat seeking seen single mutants,...
Obesity and stress inhibit insulin action by activating protein kinases that enhance serine phosphorylation of IRS1 have been thus associated to resistance the development type II diabetes. The kinase C θ (PKCθ) is activated free-fatty acids, its activity higher in muscle from obese diabetic patients. However, a molecular link between PKCθ has not defined yet. Here we show phosphorylates at 1101 blocking tyrosine downstream activation Akt pathway. Mutation Ser1101 alanine makes insensitive...
Geosmin is one of the most recognizable and common microbial smells on planet. Some insects, like mosquitoes, require microbial-rich environments for their progeny, whereas other insects such microbes may prove dangerous. In vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, geosmin decoded in a remarkably precise fashion induces aversion, presumably signaling presence harmful [1]. We have here investigated effect behavior yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. contrast to flies, not aversive but mediates...
Dry conditions increase blood feeding in mosquitoes, but it is unknown if dehydration-induced bloodmeals are increased beyond what necessary for reproduction. In this study, we investigated the role of dehydration secondary behaviors mosquitoes. Following an initial bloodmeal, prolonged exposure to dry mosquitoes by nearly two-fold, and chronic allowed survive up 20 days without access water. Exposure desiccating following a bloodmeal resulted activity, decreased sleep levels, prompted...
Methyl farnesoate (MF) plays hormonal regulatory roles in crustaceans. An epoxidated form of MF, known as juvenile hormone (JH), controls metamorphosis and stimulates reproduction insects. To address the evolutionary significance MF epoxidation, we generated mosquitoes completely lacking either two enzymes that catalyze last steps MF/JH biosynthesis respectively: JH acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) P450 epoxidase CYP15 (EPOX). jhamt-/- larvae both died at onset metamorphosis. Strikingly,...
Where a female mosquito lays her eggs creates the conditions for reproductive success. Here we identify communal behavior among ovipositing mosquitoes. When choosing equal breeding sites, gravid Aedes aegypti aggregate more often than expected. This aggregation occurs when water contact is restricted and does not require presence of eggs. Instead, regulated by number females present at site. Using assays with both occupied empty oviposition show that Orco olfactory co-receptor carbon dioxide...
Rapid and significant range expansion of both Zika virus (ZIKV) its Aedes vector species has resulted in ZIKV being declared a global health threat. Mean temperatures are projected to increase globally, likely resulting alterations the transmission potential mosquito-borne pathogens. To understand effect diurnal temperature on vectorial capacity Ae. aegypti albopictus for ZIKV, longevity, blood-feeding competence were assessed at two regimes following feeding infectious blood meals. Higher...
The mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is highly anthropophilic and transmits debilitating arboviruses within human populations between humans non-human primates. Female mosquitoes are attracted to sources of blood by responding odor plumes that emitted their preferred hosts. Acidic volatile compounds, including carboxylic acids, represent particularly salient odors driving this attraction. Importantly, acids major constituents sweat volatiles generated skin microbes. As such, they likely impact host...
Abstract Background Obligate blood-feeding insects obtain the nutrients and water necessary to ensure survival from vertebrate blood. The internal taste sensilla, situated in pharynx, evaluate suitability of ingested food. Here, through multiple approaches, we characterized pharyngeal organ (PO) hematophagous kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus determine its role food assessment. PO, located antero-dorsally comprises eight sensilla that become bathed with incoming Results We showed these house...
In forensic entomology, estimating the time of death is critical and traditionally relies on changes in observable traits carrion feeding insect larvae. Traits such as size, weight, morphology can be used to predict specimen age help estimate since death. The blowfly Phormia regina a key insect, yet estimation for older maggots this species particularly challenging due limited morphological late-stage To enhance precision, we employed transcriptomic profiling maggots, aiming identify genes...