Many infectious diseases are transmitted via an obligatory insect vector host for the successful completion of the pathogen’s life cycle. Managing such vector-borne diseases effectively involves dealing with a triad of players – the human host, the pathogen, as well as the vector. Mosquitoes are one such vector. We seek to use evidence-based understanding of the behaviour, biology, and ecology of mosquitoes to develop better, more specific, and ecologically responsible means of controlling mosquito vectors.
Vertical Lead: Sonia Sen
Investigators: Sonia Sen, Jay Prakash Shukla, Bhagyashree Kaduskar
Activities:
Mosquitoes are vectors for several disease pathogens. During their life cycle, mosquitoes perform complex behavioral tasks in which they have to escape from predators, feed, mate, and lay eggs. Plant-based nectar is the first meal for mosquitoes, where they avoid unrewarding and poisonous plants and drink from nutritious ones. Once mature, female mosquitoes have to find a suitable host for blood-feeding to obtain the necessary nutrition for their egg development. In this program, we aim to utilize traditional knowledge from ancient civilizations to find better plant-based repellents and attractants. In addition, we also study mosquito’s olfactory behavior towards designing better and targeted traps and repellents.
Investigators: Jay Prakash Shukla, Bhagyashree Kaduskar, Sonia Sen