Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Trends in Parasitology @cp-trendsparasitol.bsky.social · Aug 22

Drs @minealtinli.bsky.social‬ @spleonard1.bsky.social‬ @alainkohlvirology.bsky.social & @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social review #bacteria-mediated #dsRNA delivery for #mosquito-borne #virus control. #RNAi #vectorcontrol #symbiont #engineering #mosquito #arbovirus

www.cell.com/trends/paras...

2 12 13

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Grant Hughes @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social · Jun 26

What @edmhill.bsky.social said!!!👇

Ed Hill @edmhill.bsky.social · Jun 26

📣 Funded PhD opportunity (UK tuition fee rate) in @hpruezi.bsky.social. #PhDSky

🧪 "Predict & Prepare for Arbovirus Introduction to the UK" #IDSky

👥 Supervisors: @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social | @baylism.bsky.social | Jolyon Medlock

⏳ Deadline: 17 Jul 2025

🔗: www.lstmed.ac.uk/study/resear...

PhD project: Predict and Prepare for Arbovirus Introduction to the UK

(Application type) Studentship: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (EZI)

Research Theme: Predict and Prevent
Primary Supervisor: Dr Grant Hughes
Research department: Vector Biology
Closing date: 17 July 2025

Abstract.

This project has the broad aims of better understanding the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the UK and developing and evaluating vector control strategies to mitigate this risk. One highly promising vector control strategy exploits the bacterium Wolbachia, to either render populations incapable of transmitting pathogens, or to suppress the mosquito population itself. In collaboration with partners, we will undertake initial steps to develop novel Wolbachia-based control strategies suitable for the suppression of Ae. albopictus, a highly invasive and competent vector of many arboviruses. Such approaches could be critical in repressing the incursion of Ae. albopictus into the UK, and/or forming a biological barrier that prevents establishment. The project will develop mosquito lines that are capable of being used in such an approach and these lines will be evaluated for the suppression capacity against a range of different Aedes albopictus populations from Europe. Data obtained from these experiments will be integrated into models to determine how this approach and other contemporary and conventional vector control measures could be deployed in the event of an Aedes albopictus-transmitted disease outbreak in the UK. This is critical research to inform UK government strategies to manage the incursion of Aedes albopictus and associated arbovirus risks.

This PhD is a collaboration between the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool & the UK Health Security Agency. In addition to the benefits associated with the HPRU, the PhD position will be based within the Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection (MosSI) group, in the Departments of Vector Biology & Tropical Disease Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Supervisors for the project include Profs Grant Hughes (LSTM), Matthew Baylis (UoL) & Dr Jolyon Medlock (UKHSA).

PhD focus will be agreed with the successful applicant based on their own background & research interests.

Indicative Start Date: 01 October 2025

Funding package: This studentship is funded by the NIHR HPRU EZI-3 project.

The studentship includes:
- Stipend set at the UKRI Minimum Doctoral Stipend rate. For 25/26 this is £20,780 per annum.
- Tuition/programme fees at the 'Home' rate
- Contribution to research support fees for; lab consumables, travel, computing hardware, publications.

The duration of the funding package is 3 years.

There is no additional funding available to support travel to the UK or with costs associated with a UK Visa application.

Academic:

- Applicants must hold at least a first class or high upper second-class Honours degree, or a degree of comparable standard awarded from outside the UK.
- A Masters degree (at merit or distinction preferable) is also welcomed, but not a pre-requisite.
- Where an applicant does not meet the Honours degree requirement (e.g. they hold a lower second-class Honours degree), they may be eligible to apply if they also hold a Master's degree with an awarded distinction in an area relevant to the MRC DTP. To be considered for this exemption, the qualification must be awarded at time of application and candidates must provide an award certificate and transcript for both qualifications. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider Master's qualifications that have not yet been awarded for this purpose.

Residence:
Candidates of all nationalities are eligible to apply to this studentship and we encourage applicants that are nationals of a Low-Middle-Income Country (Link to webpage with list of countries with low-income or middle-income economies. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) compiles this information and revises it every three years. https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/low-and-middle-income-countries)

2 2

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Jul 1

Applications due in one week👇👇👇

Grant Hughes @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social · Jun 18

Come and join the @mossi-lab.bsky.social group! We have a postdoc position available on Wolbachia and Anopheles interactions.

app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...

Post Doctoral Research Associate in Wolbachia Biology | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Ready to make a difference in vector biology research? We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic researcher to join an exciting BBSRC-funded project exploring the fascinating interactions betwee...

app.vacancy-filler.co.uk

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Grant Hughes @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social · Jun 18

Come and join the @mossi-lab.bsky.social group! We have a postdoc position available on Wolbachia and Anopheles interactions.

app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car...

Post Doctoral Research Associate in Wolbachia Biology | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Ready to make a difference in vector biology research? We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic researcher to join an exciting BBSRC-funded project exploring the fascinating interactions betwee...

app.vacancy-filler.co.uk

19 15

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Greg Hurst @greghurst.bsky.social · Apr 9

@haraipapilio.bsky.social paper on evolution of Wolbachia MK mechanism through prophage acquisition in molina butterflies - avoiding suppression by the host. Now out! #symbiosky www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti.... With @daisukekageyama.bsky.social @bolinabug.bsky.social and others

Evolution of Wolbachia male-killing mechanism within a host species

Male-killing bacterial symbionts, prevalent in arthropods, skew population sex ratios by selectively killing male progeny, profoundly impacting ecolog…

www.sciencedirect.com

1 34 45

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Apr 11

Perfect timing for #wolbachia25

Greg Hurst @greghurst.bsky.social · Apr 9

@haraipapilio.bsky.social paper on evolution of Wolbachia MK mechanism through prophage acquisition in molina butterflies - avoiding suppression by the host. Now out! #symbiosky www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti.... With @daisukekageyama.bsky.social @bolinabug.bsky.social and others

Evolution of Wolbachia male-killing mechanism within a host species

Male-killing bacterial symbionts, prevalent in arthropods, skew population sex ratios by selectively killing male progeny, profoundly impacting ecolog…

www.sciencedirect.com

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Apr 3

Some MosSI Lab representation at the @royentsoc.bsky.social Student Forum - @luciendobel.bsky.social and @tarasusyjoe.bsky.social presenting on the mosquito microbiome. #EntoSci #MosquitoMicrobiome #MosSILab

1 4 8

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Apr 3

Some MosSI Lab representation at the @royentsoc.bsky.social Student Forum - @luciendobel.bsky.social and @tarasusyjoe.bsky.social presenting on the mosquito microbiome. #EntoSci #MosquitoMicrobiome #MosSILab

1 4 8

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Royal Society Publishing @royalsocietypublishing.org · Mar 31

Microbial solutions to dietary stress: experimental evolution reveals host–microbiome interplay in #Drosophila melanogaster #ProcB #Evolution royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

3 3 3

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Luís M. Silva @luismsilva.bsky.social · Mar 26

Our last opinion piece is now out in @plos.org Pathogens!! 🥳

dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

#EvoSky #MicroSky #Anopheles #SymbioSky

Dissecting transmission to understand parasite evolution

Parasite transmission is a complex, multi-stage process that significantly impacts host–parasite dynamics. Transmission plays a key role in epidemiology and virulence evolution, where it is expected t...

dx.plos.org

7 22

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · Mar 25

We're strengthening the nation’s health security defences. 🛡
Live from #UKHSA25, we've announced a new tool to help focus research efforts on pathogen families of greatest potential risk to public health, boosting preparedness against future threats.
📰🔗 www.gov.uk/government/n...

2 10 21

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Tillmann Lueders @luederslab.bsky.social · Mar 19

Microbiology Postdocs from all over Europe and the Globe!
🦠😎👍
Application for the FEMS SSPD 2025 “Harnessing microbial solutions in environmental research and One Health” is now open 👇
2 – 10 Sept 2025 on Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Co-Directors: Joana Falcao Salles and @luederslab.bsky.social

FEMS Summer School for Postdocs 2025 - FEMS

Menu: Introduction – Applications – Programme This has been the most valuable and enjoyable scientific event I’ve attended so far. The atmosphere was incredible, with inspiring co-directors and mentor...

fems-microbiology.org

1 14 22

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Rubén González @rubengonzalez.bsky.social · Mar 14

In my first Drosophila study at @salehlabparis.bsky.social, we found that:

1. Enteric viral infections accelerate aging.
2. Even if the infection is cleared, aging process remains triggered.
3. Accelerated aging correlates with reduced lifespan.

📑Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

A cute aged fly, despite my mom thinking it’s a bee.

2 31 81

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Katherine Xue @ksxue.bsky.social · Mar 11

What happens if you introduce 🦠vs 🦠🦠🦠 into a microbial community? Are larger microbial populations more likely to establish?

Check out new work led by @goldmandoran.bsky.social that used experiments and theory to dive deep into this simple question. ⬇️
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

1 27 71

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Ellen Caroline @ellennobre7.bsky.social · Dec 12

🌿 How does diet shape the reproduction and longevity of malaria vectors? 🦟 Our latest study shows that honey beats sucrose, enhancing the lifespan and reproductive success of Anopheles aquasalis. 🍯 Dive in: doi.org/10.3390/inse... #Malaria #Entomology #PublicHealth🧪

Dietary Influences on the Longevity and Reproductive Success of Anopheles aquasalis in Laboratory Studies: Sucrose vs. Honey

Malaria continues to be a major public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. Anopheles aquasalis, a key laboratory model for malaria research, plays a critical role in the study of vec...

doi.org

3 3

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

fly paper broadcast @fly-broadcast.bsky.social · Mar 5

Microbiome-emitted scents activate olfactory neuron-independent airway-gut-brain axis to promote host growth in Drosophila
#Drosophila

Microbiome-emitted scents activate olfactory neuron-independent airway-gut-brain axis to promote host growth in Drosophila #Drosophila

PubMed link

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

2 2

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · Feb 7

Fascinating research and a reminder of the complexity of non-human animals' #microbiome - and the complex impacts on #PublicHealth and #OneHealth

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Feb 3

Science distraction? #Zika virus interactions with the microbiome in Aedes aegypti. The microbiomes in different mosquito lines respond distinctly to viral exposure and infection. @laurabrettell.bsky.social @alexwild.bsky.social @evaheinz7.bsky.social and others.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Mosquito host background influences microbiome-ZIKV interactions in field and laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti

The mosquito microbiota represents an intricate assemblage of microorganisms, comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Factors modulating microbiome abundance and composition include host ge...

www.biorxiv.org

7 13

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Feb 3

Science distraction? #Zika virus interactions with the microbiome in Aedes aegypti. The microbiomes in different mosquito lines respond distinctly to viral exposure and infection. @laurabrettell.bsky.social @alexwild.bsky.social @evaheinz7.bsky.social and others.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Mosquito host background influences microbiome-ZIKV interactions in field and laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti

The mosquito microbiota represents an intricate assemblage of microorganisms, comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Factors modulating microbiome abundance and composition include host ge...

www.biorxiv.org

4 7

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Grant Hughes @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social · Dec 17

Lovely week to finish the year for the @mossi-lab.bsky.social lab. @aidanfoo.bsky.social doing fantastic work at his viva and Ana Pitol securing a lecturer position @lstmnews.bsky.social!

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Dec 17

Huge congratulations to Dr @aidanfoo.bsky.social who passed his viva yesterday!

@mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
@gemma-langridge.bsky.social

4 8

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Dec 17

Huge congratulations to Dr @aidanfoo.bsky.social who passed his viva yesterday!

@mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
@gemma-langridge.bsky.social

1 5 9

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

The Global Vector Hub @globalvectorhub.bsky.social · Dec 10

📢 Newly published @who.int guidelines for #malaria 🦟: iris.who.int/bitstream/ha...

1 8 10

Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab

Eva Heinz @evaheinz7.bsky.social · Nov 27

Very clever strategy here from @luciendobel.bsky.social catching all dino geeks (I mean if you don't love dinos, are you even a scientist?); catch attention with the dinos, then make them stay for the cool science!

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Nov 27

@luciendobel.bsky.social presenting on the role of the microbiome in Aedes aegypti oviposition site preference.

1 6

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Nov 27

And finally a huge congrats to Aidan and Shannon for both winning poster prizes!

2 5

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Nov 27

Shannon presenting his recently published work on parasitic nematode specific RNA viruses and their role in antibody responses in vertebrate hosts. Also joined by our MRes student Sernyen.

1 5

Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Nov 27

@aidanfoo.bsky.social presenting on the contribution of siderophore mediated competition to Aedes aegypti colonisation

1 4