Assessing the impacts of insecticide resistance on vectorial competence of Anopheles gambiae from Uganda

Malaria is caused by plasmodium parasites spread by bites from Anopheles mosquitoes. To control the spread of malaria, insecticides are used to kill the mosquitoes but insecticide usage has led to changes in mosquitoes to make them resistant to insecticides. Previous studies have shown that mosquitoes that are resistant could increase the spread of malaria. New studies to understand parasite development in resistant mosquitoes are urgently needed. The molecular changes in mosquitoes that make them resistant to insecticides may also affect parasite growth in the mosquito.

I will look at changes in mosquito populations that affect their sensitivity to insecticides and their susceptibility to parasite infection.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Master's Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.