Vector biology research at SRI International

Vector biology research at SRI International
Virginia Mosquito Control Association
Annual Meeting, Williamsburg, Virginia, 4-6 February 2009
Meghan Cupp, Karine Delroux-Spalding, Jinfang Li, Rajeev Vaidyanathan
Center for Advanced Drug Research, SRI International
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Phone. 540-568-5752
Email: [email protected]
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Our Mission
• SRI is a nonprofit corporation committed to the discovery
and application of science and technology for knowledge,
commerce, prosperity, and peace.
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NEED: There is a need for fundamental research in vector biology in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, focusing on mosquito vectors of arboviruses
and tick vectors of disease.
APPROACH: We use proteomics, molecular and cellular biology, and
biochemistry to characterize host-pathogen-vector interactions. We
constantly strive to develop practical applications for use in the field.
BENEFITS: Sustainable control, safe repellents, public education; rapid
surveillance, treatment, and diagnosis of vector-borne pathogens.
Your Mission
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Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance, but a major threat to public health
and welfare through the diseases that they carry. The mission of the
VMCA is to advance the cause of responsible mosquito control.
Your Purpose
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The purpose of the VMCA is to promote environmentally sound mosquito
control practices in Virginia; to keep abreast of developments and
methods; to disseminate information and provide training to association
members and other interested parties, to educate the general public and
unite common interests and objectives to further professionalism in the
control of mosquitoes.
Overlapping interests: host-pathogen-vector
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• Cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Aedes aegypti saliva
• Dr. Jinfang Li is identifying
proteins responsible for the
shift between the insect
stage (promastigote) and the
mammalian stage
(amastigote) of L. major.
• Dr. Karine Delroux is
testing whole saliva and
individual, recombinant
salivary proteins for their
effect on DENV
replication and human
macrophage activation.
Cutaneous lesion caused by the
protozoan parasite Leishmania major
• Antiviral mechanisms
• Age grading mosquitoes
• Meghan Cupp is defining
• Dr. Rajeev Vaidyanathan is
the role of apoptosis in
developing a proteomicslimiting DENV infection in a
based approach for age
novel, invertebrate model.
grading mosquitoes that can
be adapted into a rapid,
inexpensive field assay.
The nematode Caenorhabdites elegans is our
invertebrate model for DENV infection.
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What can we deliver?
• Jinfang is identifying the molecular switch for Leishmania
parasites.
targeted drug design
• Karine is identifying mosquito salivary proteins that
enhance or inhibit human macrophage function.
vaccine and adjuvant design.
• Meghan is defining the pathways responsible for
resistance to DENV infection.
safe laboratory models, new understanding of antiviral
defense
• Rajeev is developing a protein-based assay for age
grading Aedes aegypti.
inexpensive, convenient field assay to evaluate the
success of a vector control program.
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CHIKV, WNV, other mosquito-borne threats
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Our Common Mission: Let’s work together
[email protected]
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Questions
– To what degree do Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus hybridize in
Virginia, and how does that affect WNV transmission?
– What is the blood feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus and An.
quadrimaculatus in Virginia?
– Are Aedes albopictus in Virginia competent vectors for CHIKV?
– What native, North American species will be competent vectors for
CHIKV? Ae. triseriatus? Vernal pool Aedes and Ochlerotatus?
– Can we develop a GIS specific for our needs in Virginia to predict
mosquito and tick hot zones?
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A molecular virologist joining us this month will focus on CHIKV and
Aedes albopictus.
You have field-caught mosquitoes; we have BSL-3 labs and a BSL3 insectary. Worked with WNV, DENV, and EEEV since 1993.
We collaborate with JMU (leishmaniasis, C. elegans model,
statistical analysis), UVA (systems biology of L. major), and ODU
(proteomics of tick saliva). Also: federal, military, private orgs.
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