Bio-engineering Insect-Specific Flaviviruses for control of arboviruses. This project aims to study a family of commensal viruses of mosquitoes called insect-specific flaviviruses that are naturally found in mosquitoes and do not infect or cause disease in vertebrate hosts. Using an innovative approach, this project employs cutting-edge molecular virology approaches to modify these insect-specific flaviviruses to enhance their ability to block the replication of other pathogenic viruses in the m ....Bio-engineering Insect-Specific Flaviviruses for control of arboviruses. This project aims to study a family of commensal viruses of mosquitoes called insect-specific flaviviruses that are naturally found in mosquitoes and do not infect or cause disease in vertebrate hosts. Using an innovative approach, this project employs cutting-edge molecular virology approaches to modify these insect-specific flaviviruses to enhance their ability to block the replication of other pathogenic viruses in the mosquito vector. Expected outcome of this project is a bio-control strategy that is complementary to the Wolbachia approach. The anticipated benefits include the advancement of knowledge of insect-specific flaviviruses, and promotion of interdisciplinary research across the fields of Entomology and Virology.Read moreRead less
Understanding the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection. Insects are involved in the transmission of many viral diseases of both plants and animals. A considerable number of these diseases have adverse effects for public health or cause large economic losses in agriculture. We were the first to discover that a common bacteria protects insects from virus infection. Knowledge of the mechanisms used by the bacteria to interfere with virus accumulation will facilitate novel strategies ....Understanding the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection. Insects are involved in the transmission of many viral diseases of both plants and animals. A considerable number of these diseases have adverse effects for public health or cause large economic losses in agriculture. We were the first to discover that a common bacteria protects insects from virus infection. Knowledge of the mechanisms used by the bacteria to interfere with virus accumulation will facilitate novel strategies for control of virus disease. The findings of this project will enable Australian researchers and industry to design innovative approaches to control diseases that are transmitted by insects.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102166
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Identification and characterisation of anti-viral immune response genes in mosquitoes. Emerging viral diseases, transmitted by mosquito bite, present an increasing public health risk globally. Most research to date has neglected the infection dynamic in the insect vector. This project aims to characterise the defensive response of mosquitoes to viral infection, a potentially crucial factor in the epidemiology of vector-borne disease.
Predictive Models & Decision Support Systems for Virus Diseases and Aphid Vectors of Lupin and Canola. Aphids and the viruses they transmit cause major economic losses in legume and canola crops in Australia. This project will develop innovative predictive models and decision support systems (DSS's) for Beet western yellows virus and direct aphid feeding damage in canola and two types of Bean yellow mosaic virus in lupin, and a DSS for direct aphid feeding damage in lupin. These models will gr ....Predictive Models & Decision Support Systems for Virus Diseases and Aphid Vectors of Lupin and Canola. Aphids and the viruses they transmit cause major economic losses in legume and canola crops in Australia. This project will develop innovative predictive models and decision support systems (DSS's) for Beet western yellows virus and direct aphid feeding damage in canola and two types of Bean yellow mosaic virus in lupin, and a DSS for direct aphid feeding damage in lupin. These models will greatly improve understanding of factors driving virus epidemics and aphid outbreaks. Following extensive validation with data previously collected in the WA grainbelt, the predictive models and DSS's will be extended to end-users, resulting in considerable productivity gains, reduced costs and environmental benefits.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101512
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Investigating the interaction of microRNAs-Wolbachia-Dengue virus in the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. This project focuses on using molecular techniques to discover fundamental roles of small RNA molecules (microRNAs) of a key mosquito vector in bacterial symbiosis and Dengue virus infection. It will lead to development of effective approaches in limiting spread of vector and transmission of life threatening viral diseases.
Viral and host RNA methylation in mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transmit a variety of viruses to humans and animals through blood feeding. This project aims to investigate one of the most common modifications of RNA molecules, known as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), in an important mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, and its alterations upon infection with pathogenic as well as mosquito-specific viruses. In addition, m6A modification of viral genomic RNA and its importance in virus replication will be investiga ....Viral and host RNA methylation in mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transmit a variety of viruses to humans and animals through blood feeding. This project aims to investigate one of the most common modifications of RNA molecules, known as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), in an important mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, and its alterations upon infection with pathogenic as well as mosquito-specific viruses. In addition, m6A modification of viral genomic RNA and its importance in virus replication will be investigated. Expected outcomes of this project include fundamental understanding of RNA methylation in mosquitoes and their role in mosquito biology and virus replication.Read moreRead less
Cross-kingdom communications via small non-coding RNAs. This project aims to determine the role of small non-coding RNAs in mosquito-Wolbachia interactions, including Wolbachia microRNAs, concentrating on exchanged microRNAs between the two organisms and explore microRNAs effect on Wolbachia maintenance and its anti-viral property. Small non-coding RNAs play significant roles in various biological processes, including host-microorganism interactions. Recent evidence suggests that small RNAs can ....Cross-kingdom communications via small non-coding RNAs. This project aims to determine the role of small non-coding RNAs in mosquito-Wolbachia interactions, including Wolbachia microRNAs, concentrating on exchanged microRNAs between the two organisms and explore microRNAs effect on Wolbachia maintenance and its anti-viral property. Small non-coding RNAs play significant roles in various biological processes, including host-microorganism interactions. Recent evidence suggests that small RNAs can be exchanged between microorganisms and their hosts and regulate gene expression in the other organism. The endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia, has attracted worldwide attention due to inhibiting replication of various vector-borne pathogens in mosquito vectors.Read moreRead less
Regulatory cellular microRNAs and their role in insect anti-viral responses. This project will use cutting edge approaches to reveal fundamental roles of small ribonucleic acid molecules (microRNAs) in insect anti-viral responses and immunity. By manipulating anti-viral immune responses, the project will assist in the design of novel approaches to pest control and abolish/limit transmission of vector-borne viruses such as Dengue virus.