Vertical transmission of Ross River virus in mosquito vectors
- Research Opportunity
- PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students
- Department / Centre
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Location
- Doherty Institute
Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr Julio Rodriguez-Andres | julio.rodriguez@unimelb.edu.au | 8880 8740 | Personal web page |
Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Professor John Fazakerley | john.fazakerley@unimelb.edu.au | (03) 9731 2261 | Personal web page |
Summary Using recombinant alphaviruses expressing fluorescent proteins, this project will look at aspects of the immune response in mosquitoes and the possibility that Ross River virus is transmitted vertically down the generations. Tools and techniques being used will include recombinant viruses, microscopy, cell culture and insect work.
Project Details
Alphaviruses such as Ross River virus, chikungunya and Semliki Forest virus are transmitted between susceptible vertebrate hosts by mosquito vectors. In vertebrates, these viruses initiate acute infections characterised by high virus production and brain or joint disease. In contrast, when a mosquito becomes infected, the virus establishes a persistent infection, there is no apparent effect on mosquito fitness and the mosquito transmits virus for the rest of its life. Using recombinant alphaviruses expressing fluorescent proteins, this project will look at aspects of the immune response in mosquitoes and the possibility that virus is transmitted vertically down the generations. Tools and techniques being used will include recombinant viruses, microscopy, cell culture and insect work.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Research Opportunities
PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department / Centre
Research Node
Doherty InstituteMDHS Research library
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