Monika Gulia-Nuss: Vector-parasite interaction: examining mosquitoes and ticks
Title
Vector-parasite interaction: examining mosquitoes and ticks
Mentor
Monika Gulia-Nuss
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Bio sketch
My research program investigates the fundamental questions related to vector biology and vector-parasite interaction. I am particularly interested in aspects of invertebrate reproductive physiology, nutrient allocation, and vector competence and population genomics.
Project overview
My research program investigates the fundamental questions related to the biology of vectors of medical and veterinary importance such as mosquitoes and ticks. Research projects in the Gulia-Nuss lab span multiple disciplines including population biology, omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics), epigenetics, and vaccine/diagnostics. Major projects are focused on understanding double-stranded DNA break repair mechanisms in ticks, genome-editing using CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout/knock-in to identify candidate genes to interrupt tick feeding (disrupting pathogen transmission to humans), anti-tick vaccine development, and mosquito sensory biology.