Last Updated: 05/01/2025
The molecular physiology of ‘kidney’ function in mosquitoes: identification of molecular targets and discovery of insecticides for mosquito control
Objectives
Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous pathogens that present a significant challenge to the health and well-being of humans and animals. Unfortunately, the present arsenal of insecticides used for mosquito control is rapidly losing its effectiveness, because insecticide resistance is evolving in mosquitoes. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new insecticides with novel mechanisms of action to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
In response to this need, the present Hatch proposal aims to facilitate the development of a new generation of insecticides that will kill mosquitoes by attacking their analog of a kidney–i.e., the Malpighian tubules. The objectives of the proposal are to:
- Identify genes that play key roles in the renal functions of adult female mosquitoes (the blood-feeding life stage);
- Discover chemical compounds that kill mosquitoes by impairing their renal functions.
If the objectives are met, then the proposed Hatch studies have potential to catalyze the development of a new generation of insecticides for controlling mosquitoes.
Jun 2012 — Sep 2017
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