Speaker
Description
Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of several arboviruses including those that cause dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, relies heavily on olfactory cues to locate human hosts for blood feeding. The mosquito’s olfactory system is characterized by significant redundancy, with individual olfactory sensory neurons co-expressing multiple receptor types. This redundancy poses both a challenge and an opportunity for understanding the neural basis of host-seeking behavior. Recent advances in genetic tools have enabled the development of Aedes aegypti strains expressing the calcium indicator GCaMP in defined olfactory neuron populations. Leveraging these tools, we perform in vivo volumetric calcium imaging using advanced multiphoton microscopy to map the activation patterns within the antennal lobe in response to volatile odorants known to elicit behavioral responses. These experiments will elucidate the specific glomeruli involved in detecting distinct olfactory cues, uncover patterns of sensory encoding, and offer insights into the extent of functional redundancy within the mosquito’s olfactory circuitry. In subsequent experiments, we will explore potential synergistic effects between carbon dioxide and individual human odorants or odor blends. Understanding how combinations of host-derived cues are integrated at the neural level will shed light on the mechanisms that underlie host attraction and may inform novel strategies for vector control.
