Vector Biology

The Department of Vector Biology is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

It maintains a broad research portfolio encompassing functional genomics, behaviour and ecology of disease vectors, clinical trials, implementation research, and the development of tools for monitoring and evaluation of disease transmission. Our overarching aim is to contribute to the control and elimination of vector-borne diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations.

Professor Tony Nolan is Head of Department of Vector Biology.

We apply our expertise and resources to accelerate discovery and societal impact through world class research, focussed on the following themes:

Resistance

Understanding and anticipating resistance to interventions against vector-borne disease is a core strength of our research. We investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive resistance, its epidemiological consequences for disease transmission, and the emergence of behavioural adaptations in vector populations. We also assess resistance risks associated with next-generation vector control tools, including genetic control technologies, and examine adaptive genetic variation in vector-borne pathogens that may undermine intervention effectiveness.

Trials and Implementation and Partnership

Our staff have led or played pivotal roles in numerous major vector control tool (VCT) trials across diverse vector-pathogen systems and host one of the leading groups of VCT trialists globally, supported by an equitable network of research partners. We integrate rigorous clinical evaluation with implementation research to ensure that new interventions are both effective and scalable. Through these partnerships, we contribute to sustainable research capacity, infrastructure development and training in endemic settings. Planned growth includes the trialling of entirely novel product classes as well as potentially transformative genetic control mosquito strains.

Emerging Vector-borne Diseases and Environmental Change

We are expanding our research on emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases, including a wider range of arthropod-borne pathogens, to strengthen resilience against evolving global health threats. Recognising that climate change and anthropogenic land-use change are major drivers of transmission risk, we are developing integrated approaches to understand how environmental change reshapes vector ecology, pathogen dynamics, and patterns of disease transmission.