Tag: Viruses

I am interested in finding better ways of controlling the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and Zika viruses. Specifically, I am interested in determining how they move through their environment and the effect that has on different control strategies. The mosquito virome, the[...]

Many viruses enter their insect hosts by the oral route and must cross the gut epithelium, a barrier that prevents access to the hemocoel and other tissues. Because the mechanisms of viral transit through insect gut cells are poorly understood, our project focuses on fundamental aspects of this important topic. Our current studies aim to […]

Dengue (DEN) is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral (arboviral) disease in the world; DEN disease incidence has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. Ae. aegypti is the most important vector of DENV to human hosts and the vector remains persistently infected with DENV for life. Understanding interepidemic maintenance of the virus is essential for […]

With a dual focus on viral pathogenesis and stem cell biology, the objective of Dr. Gerlinde Van de Walle’s research is to open up new avenues towards therapeutic intervention by better understanding the pathogenesis of diseases important to veterinary and human medicine. To this end,[...]

Now accepting applications to CIHMID’s Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) Program for current Cornell undergrads. Find more info here. Applications are due Nov 8, 2024.

Numerous studies demonstrate that vector-borne pathogens, such as viruses, influence host characteristics that result in altered host-vector interactions and enhanced virus transmission. We seek to determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon and use this knowledge to develop innovative control strategies using genetic and biochemical approaches. Current focuses are on changes in plant signaling […]

The Whittaker lab’s paper out in mBio that looks deeper into coronaviruses and their relationship to the superfamily Musteloidea. PAPER:  https://mbio.asm.org/content/12/1/e02873-20  

Associate Professor Clare Casteel (SIPS) has a paper out in Nature Plants, in collaboration with labs at UC Davis: “Organic management promotes natural pest control through altered plant resistance to insects” PAPER:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-020-0656-9.epdf

Fast evolving RNA viruses, such as rotavirus, influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and zika virus, are a leading cause of death worldwide and represent a major challenge for global disease control. Despite their small genome size, often comprised of only a few thousand nucleotides and a handful of genes, it remains exceedingly difficult to study […]

Mosquitoes cause 400,000 malaria deaths and transmit viruses to hundreds of millions. The vectorial capacity of mosquitoes depends on their ability to survive infection. However, it remains unclear what key mechanisms underlie the mosquito tolerance and resistance to infection with multiple microbes (bacteria, fungi, microbiota, viruses). We are particularly interested in approaches ranging from lab controlled […]