Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Mosquito host background impacts microbiome-Zika virus interactions in field- and laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti - Animal Microbiome Mosquito microbiota abundance and composition are modulated by a variety of factors, including pathogen exposure. The microbiome can also influence pathogen infection of the host and thus harbours con...

New paper out from the MosSI group. Started this work in 2017 so great to finally get it out!

TL;DR - Microbiome interactions with ZIKV - host background matters!

animalmicrobiome.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

Drs @minealtinli.bsky.social‬ @spleonard1.bsky.social‬ @alainkohlvirology.bsky.social & @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social review #bacteria-mediated #dsRNA delivery for #mosquito-borne #virus control. #RNAi #vectorcontrol #symbiont #engineering #mosquito #arbovirus

www.cell.com/trends/paras...

What @edmhill.bsky.social said!!!👇

Applications due in one week👇👇👇

Post Doctoral Research Associate in Wolbachia Biology | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Ready to make a difference in vector biology research? We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic researcher to join an exciting BBSRC-funded project exploring the fascinating interactions betwee...

Come and join the @mossi-lab.bsky.social group! We have a postdoc position available on Wolbachia and Anopheles interactions.

app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...

Evolution of Wolbachia male-killing mechanism within a host species Male-killing bacterial symbionts, prevalent in arthropods, skew population sex ratios by selectively killing male progeny, profoundly impacting ecolog…

@haraipapilio.bsky.social paper on evolution of Wolbachia MK mechanism through prophage acquisition in molina butterflies - avoiding suppression by the host. Now out! #symbiosky www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti.... With @daisukekageyama.bsky.social @bolinabug.bsky.social and others

Perfect timing for #wolbachia25

Some MosSI Lab representation at the @royentsoc.bsky.social Student Forum - @luciendobel.bsky.social and @tarasusyjoe.bsky.social presenting on the mosquito microbiome. #EntoSci #MosquitoMicrobiome #MosSILab

Some MosSI Lab representation at the @royentsoc.bsky.social Student Forum - @luciendobel.bsky.social and @tarasusyjoe.bsky.social presenting on the mosquito microbiome. #EntoSci #MosquitoMicrobiome #MosSILab

Microbial solutions to dietary stress: experimental evolution reveals host–microbiome interplay in #Drosophila melanogaster #ProcB #Evolution royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

Dissecting transmission to understand parasite evolution Parasite transmission is a complex, multi-stage process that significantly impacts host–parasite dynamics. Transmission plays a key role in epidemiology and virulence evolution, where it is expected t...

Our last opinion piece is now out in @plos.org Pathogens!! 🥳

dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

#EvoSky #MicroSky #Anopheles #SymbioSky

We're strengthening the nation’s health security defences. 🛡
Live from #UKHSA25, we've announced a new tool to help focus research efforts on pathogen families of greatest potential risk to public health, boosting preparedness against future threats.
📰🔗 www.gov.uk/government/n...

FEMS Summer School for Postdocs 2025 - FEMS Menu: Introduction – Applications – Programme This has been the most valuable and enjoyable scientific event I’ve attended so far. The atmosphere was incredible, with inspiring co-directors and mentor...

Microbiology Postdocs from all over Europe and the Globe!
🦠😎👍
Application for the FEMS SSPD 2025 “Harnessing microbial solutions in environmental research and One Health” is now open 👇
2 – 10 Sept 2025 on Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Co-Directors: Joana Falcao Salles and @luederslab.bsky.social

A cute aged fly, despite my mom thinking it’s a bee.

In my first Drosophila study at @salehlabparis.bsky.social, we found that:

1. Enteric viral infections accelerate aging.
2. Even if the infection is cleared, aging process remains triggered.
3. Accelerated aging correlates with reduced lifespan.

📑Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

What happens if you introduce 🦠vs 🦠🦠🦠 into a microbial community? Are larger microbial populations more likely to establish?

Check out new work led by @goldmandoran.bsky.social that used experiments and theory to dive deep into this simple question. ⬇️
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Dietary Influences on the Longevity and Reproductive Success of Anopheles aquasalis in Laboratory Studies: Sucrose vs. Honey Malaria continues to be a major public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. Anopheles aquasalis, a key laboratory model for malaria research, plays a critical role in the study of vec...

🌿 How does diet shape the reproduction and longevity of malaria vectors? 🦟 Our latest study shows that honey beats sucrose, enhancing the lifespan and reproductive success of Anopheles aquasalis. 🍯 Dive in: doi.org/10.3390/inse... #Malaria #Entomology #PublicHealth🧪

Microbiome-emitted scents activate olfactory neuron-independent airway-gut-brain axis to promote host growth in Drosophila
#Drosophila

Fascinating research and a reminder of the complexity of non-human animals' #microbiome - and the complex impacts on #PublicHealth and #OneHealth

Mosquito host background influences microbiome-ZIKV interactions in field and laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti The mosquito microbiota represents an intricate assemblage of microorganisms, comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Factors modulating microbiome abundance and composition include host ge...

Science distraction? #Zika virus interactions with the microbiome in Aedes aegypti. The microbiomes in different mosquito lines respond distinctly to viral exposure and infection. @laurabrettell.bsky.social @alexwild.bsky.social @evaheinz7.bsky.social and others.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Lovely week to finish the year for the @mossi-lab.bsky.social lab. @aidanfoo.bsky.social doing fantastic work at his viva and Ana Pitol securing a lecturer position @lstmnews.bsky.social!

Huge congratulations to Dr @aidanfoo.bsky.social who passed his viva yesterday!

@mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
@gemma-langridge.bsky.social

📢 Newly published @who.int guidelines for #malaria 🦟: iris.who.int/bitstream/ha...

Very clever strategy here from @luciendobel.bsky.social catching all dino geeks (I mean if you don't love dinos, are you even a scientist?); catch attention with the dinos, then make them stay for the cool science!

And finally a huge congrats to Aidan and Shannon for both winning poster prizes!

Shannon presenting his recently published work on parasitic nematode specific RNA viruses and their role in antibody responses in vertebrate hosts. Also joined by our MRes student Sernyen.

@aidanfoo.bsky.social presenting on the contribution of siderophore mediated competition to Aedes aegypti colonisation

@luciendobel.bsky.social presenting on the role of the microbiome in Aedes aegypti oviposition site preference.

Lots of MosSI Lab representation at the LSTM 125th Scientific Symposium this week!

@mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social spoke about our Anopheles Wolbachia work.

Come and work with us!

MRC DTP/CASE: How to apply Stage 1During stage one we will ask you to submit a form consisting of:Title, name, contact details, nationality and fee statusSelection of your preferred project choiceMotivation for applying to the

The @mossi-lab.bsky.social has several PhD projects on offer at LSTM. Flavours include Wolbachia in Anopheles, microbiome mosquito interactions, Wolbachia-microbiome interactions, & antiviral in mosquitoes.

Students should apply to the LSTM PhD program - Applications close on the 4th of December!