Research
1) Malaria mosquitoes of our region
We have been studying the evolution, distribution and movement of Anopheles mosquito species across our region (Indo-Pacific) for over two decades. We developed and used DNA-based tools to distinguish the few malaria transmitting Anopheles species from the many non-vector species, map their distributions in order to study their biology, ecology and potential for adaptation to mosquito control strategies. Evolutionary and population genetic studies are also used to assess historical and contemporary movement. We work closely with the Australian Defence Force's Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute (ADF-MIDI). Our aim is to deliver better knowledge on our regional malaria vectors, in part by developing an extensive malaria vector spatial-genetic database to assist in the design, execution and monitoring of future mosquito control strategies.
Malaria vector control: exploring the idea of a malaria resistant Anopheles farauti with the capacity to drive that trait into a population
Initial funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NHMRC will help us try to develop a Plasmodium falciparum refractory gene-drive Anopheles farauti - a malaria mosquito that is difficult to control with traditional vector control (An. farauti distribution below). Here is an exciting opportunity to investigate this novel approach in collaboration with the Anthony James team at UC Irvine, and Greg Devine at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
We have been studying the evolution, distribution and movement of Anopheles mosquito species across our region (Indo-Pacific) for over two decades. We developed and used DNA-based tools to distinguish the few malaria transmitting Anopheles species from the many non-vector species, map their distributions in order to study their biology, ecology and potential for adaptation to mosquito control strategies. Evolutionary and population genetic studies are also used to assess historical and contemporary movement. We work closely with the Australian Defence Force's Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute (ADF-MIDI). Our aim is to deliver better knowledge on our regional malaria vectors, in part by developing an extensive malaria vector spatial-genetic database to assist in the design, execution and monitoring of future mosquito control strategies.
Malaria vector control: exploring the idea of a malaria resistant Anopheles farauti with the capacity to drive that trait into a population
Initial funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NHMRC will help us try to develop a Plasmodium falciparum refractory gene-drive Anopheles farauti - a malaria mosquito that is difficult to control with traditional vector control (An. farauti distribution below). Here is an exciting opportunity to investigate this novel approach in collaboration with the Anthony James team at UC Irvine, and Greg Devine at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
Anopheles farauti collections through the Southwest Pacific. This particular malaria vector presents strong behavioural resistance to indoor residue spraying and insecticide treated bednets, making traditional malaria vector control for this species tricky. New approaches to control this mosquito will likely be required.
2) Endemic and exotic mosquitoes (arbovirus threats)
Exotic arbovirus vectors
The exotic invasive dengue vector Aedes aegypti is now extant to Queensland, but could potentially re-emerge throughout Australia urban regions as a result of a changing climate and the dramatic expansion of domestic rainwater tanks that are being installed to drought-proof our urban landscapes. Also of concern, the particularly pesky Asian tiger Aedes albopictus that has expanded its distribution into the Torres Strait Islands and southern Papua New Guinea and threatening to invade mainland Australia. We are exploring the evolution, distribution, movement and biosecurity threats of both these mosquitoes in our region. We don't want the Asian tiger mosquito establishing on the mainland, so we are working on developing species-specific population suppression tools to boot it back out when it arrives - see below.
Population reduction and removal of exotic Aedes vectors using reproductively incompatible males
We now exploring a couple of neat projects that are using sterile /incomparable males to reduce and remove exotic invasive Aedes mosquito species that transmit human pathogen. With an initial focus on the dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti), we have been working with NHMRC, CSIRO and Verily Life Science (an Alphabet/Google affiliate) to use the useful bacterium Wolbachia to develop reproductively incompatible male mosquito release technology to reduce and remove this mosquito from human landscapes. Our first field trial in the northern Cassowary Coast "Debug Innisfail" in Queensland showed the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to be viable -- thank you the the Cassowary Coast Community for being part of the science.
3) Australasian arbovirus vectors
Mosquitoes in the Culex sitiens subgroup are the major endemic arbovirus vectors of our region -- Ross River virus, Murry valley encephalitis, West Nile Kunjin strain and Japanese encephalitis. The subgroup comprise Culex annulirostris and several unsubscribed cryptic species and we are using evolutionary and population genetics approaches to describe the cryptic species status of this group, develop molecular diagnostics so we can better study the biology and ecology of these mosquitoes arboviruses cycles in our region of the world, especially in regard to the recent 2022 Japanese encephalitis outbreak across Australia.
