Wolbachia is an insect-associated maternally transmitted antiviral bacterium. It has been artificially transferred – transinfected - from Drosophila to dengue vector Aedes aegypti. These mosquitoes are currently being deployed in successful programmes aiming at limiting dengue burden in humans. Although Wolbachia can be transferred between non-crossing species and blocks human-pathogenic virus replication, the mechanisms and structures enabling these phenotypes remain unknown.

 

In this project, we will ask which tissues are crucial for Wolbachia-conferred antiviral protection in Ae. aegypti mosquito. Next, we will test a specific hypothesis regarding molecular structures necessary for Wolbachia transinfection and horizontal transmission in the wild.