How a ubiquitous endosymbiont of insects protects against pathogens

该项目旨在确定昆虫病原体保护的基础机制。昆虫在其细胞和肠道中拥有微生物群落，并为其宿主带来一系列益处。一种细菌，沃尔巴克氏体，保护昆虫免受共同感染的病原体。目前正在测试将沃尔巴克氏体释放到蚊子种群中，作为减少登革热病毒传播给人类的一种手段。利用创新的进化和遗传方法，该项目建议阐明病原体阻断的机制，并确定其对宿主的更广泛影响。这种知识可能是至关重要的，保持生物控制方法在该领域的有效性，为制定抗性管理战略提供信息。

The project intends to determine the mechanism that underpins pathogen protection in insects. Insects harbour microbial communities in their cells and guts and confer a range of benefits on their hosts. One bacterium, Wolbachia, protects insects against co-infecting pathogens. The release of Wolbachia into mosquito populations is currently being tested as a means to reduce dengue virus transmission to humans. Using innovative evolutionary and genetic approaches, the project proposes to elucidate the mechanism of pathogen blocking and ascertain its broader consequences for the host. This knowledge may be critical for maintaining the effectiveness of the biocontrol approach in the field by informing the development of resistance management strategies.