Our research mission
Our study system, the mosquito, is dubbed ‘the world’s deadliest animal’ because it transmits pathogens that are responsible for more human deaths annually than any other animal. Mosquito control is the first line of action against the spread of these pathogens, or the only line of action where there are no drugs or vaccines, as in the case of arboviruses like Zika or West Nile virus. However, due to long-term consistent reliance on insecticides, these mosquito control efforts are being compromised by widespread insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. In fact, the gains made in reducing mosquito borne disease burdens globally are now being reversed because of the increasing spread and intensity (or strength) of insecticide resistance. The situation is dire as there are very limited public health approved chemicals for mosquito control, and the mechanisms underlying the evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations are not fully understood.
Mosquitoes harbor microbes (or their microbiome) that significantly impact their biology and research on mosquito-microbe interactions is still emerging. In the Dada Lab, we aim to understand what factors shape the mosquito microbiome and how these microbes together with the mosquito host (i.e. mosquito holobiont) respond and adapt to evolutionary pressures such as long-term insecticide use. Our ultimate goal is to leverage our knowledge of these mosquito-microbe interactions to develop effective tools for mitigating the spread of mosquito borne diseases. We ask our research questions using laboratory mosquito strains as well as wild mosquito populations or their progeny in laboratory settings. We employ a combination of molecular, omics, bioinformatics, and classical entomology and microbial ecology tools to address our research questions.
What we are building
We aim to be a lab known for:
- rigorous, thoughtful, and reproducible science
- curiosity, creativity, and sound scientific judgment
- careful stewardship of living systems, resources, data, and samples
- clear communication and accountability
- collaboration rather than competition within the lab
- mentorship that prepares people for increasing independence
- a respectful, healthy environment in which people can learn, contribute, and grow
Because our work often involves living mosquito colonies, microbial cultures, time-sensitive experiments, longitudinal datasets, and shared resources, success depends on careful planning, reliable communication, complete documentation, and a shared sense of responsibility.