Exploiting the virome of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to control arbovirus infection and transmission
Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) only infect insects and insect cells. While advanced sequencing techniques have aided their discovery in mosquitoes and cell lines, the biology of these viruses is poorly characterized. However, there are a growing number of reports that ISVs inhibit the replication and transmission of pathogens, such as Zika virus (ZIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV). This project will use an ISV known to inhibit pathogens to provide information about ISV transmission and maintenance in the mosquito population, and quantify pathogen inhibition in Aedes aegypti. This information will support a new strategy to use ISVs to limit pathogen transmission.