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mossi-lab.bsky.social
Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
@mossi-lab.bsky.social
1.1K followers 640 following 28 posts
Mosquitoes, Wolbachia, gut microbes, microbiomes, arboviruses, Plasmodium. Liverpool way. 🦟🦠
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mossi-lab.bsky.social
Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab @mossi-lab.bsky.social · Nov 26
Come and work with us!
mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social Grant Hughes @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social · Nov 24
The @mossi-lab.bsky.social has several PhD projects on offer at LSTM. Flavours include Wolbachia in Anopheles, microbiome mosquito interactions, Wolbachia-microbiome interactions, & antiviral in mosquitoes.

Students should apply to the LSTM PhD program - Applications close on the 4th of December!
MRC DTP/CASE: How to apply
Stage 1During stage one we will ask you to submit a form consisting of:Title, name, contact details, nationality and fee statusSelection of your preferred project choiceMotivation for applying to the
www.lstmed.ac.uk
mossi-lab.bsky.social
New paper out from the MosSI group. Started this work in 2017 so great to finally get it out!

TL;DR - Microbiome interactions with ZIKV - host background matters!

animalmicrobiome.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Mosquito host background impacts microbiome-Zika virus interactions in field- and laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti - Animal Microbiome
Mosquito microbiota abundance and composition are modulated by a variety of factors, including pathogen exposure. The microbiome can also influence pathogen infection of the host and thus harbours con...
animalmicrobiome.biomedcentral.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
cp-trendsparasitol.bsky.social
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...
August 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
What @edmhill.bsky.social said!!!👇
edmhill.bsky.social 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)
June 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
Applications due in one week👇👇👇
July 1, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
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
June 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
greghurst.bsky.social
@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
April 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
Perfect timing for #wolbachia25
April 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
mossi-lab.bsky.social
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
April 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
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
April 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
royalsocietypublishing.org
Microbial solutions to dietary stress: experimental evolution reveals host–microbiome interplay in #Drosophila melanogaster #ProcB #Evolution royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
March 31, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
luismsilva.bsky.social
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
March 26, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
ukhsa.bsky.social
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...
March 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
luederslab.bsky.social
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
March 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
rubengonzalez.bsky.social
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.
March 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
ksxue.bsky.social
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/...
March 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
ellennobre7.bsky.social
🌿 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
December 12, 2024 at 11:37 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
fly-broadcast.bsky.social
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
March 5, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social
Fascinating research and a reminder of the complexity of non-human animals' #microbiome - and the complex impacts on #PublicHealth and #OneHealth
February 7, 2025 at 10:36 AM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
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
February 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
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!
December 17, 2024 at 9:24 PM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
Huge congratulations to Dr @aidanfoo.bsky.social who passed his viva yesterday!

@mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social
@gemma-langridge.bsky.social
December 17, 2024 at 10:25 AM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
globalvectorhub.bsky.social
📢 Newly published @who.int guidelines for #malaria 🦟: iris.who.int/bitstream/ha...
December 10, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection lab
evaheinz7.bsky.social
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!
mossi-lab.bsky.social 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.
November 27, 2024 at 5:09 PM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
Lots of MosSI Lab representation at the LSTM 125th Scientific Symposium this week!

@mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social spoke about our Anopheles Wolbachia work.
November 27, 2024 at 3:54 PM
mossi-lab.bsky.social
Come and work with us!
mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social Grant Hughes @mosquitomicrobe.bsky.social · Nov 24
The @mossi-lab.bsky.social has several PhD projects on offer at LSTM. Flavours include Wolbachia in Anopheles, microbiome mosquito interactions, Wolbachia-microbiome interactions, & antiviral in mosquitoes.

Students should apply to the LSTM PhD program - Applications close on the 4th of December!
MRC DTP/CASE: How to apply
Stage 1During stage one we will ask you to submit a form consisting of:Title, name, contact details, nationality and fee statusSelection of your preferred project choiceMotivation for applying to the
www.lstmed.ac.uk
November 26, 2024 at 9:35 AM