Summary
Research in my lab focuses on vector-borne diseases, especially those transmitted by mosquitoes, such as malaria and various arboviral diseases. We are mostly interested in understanding how the mosquito immune system interacts with and controls infections with pathogens. Current research includes the characterisation of the mosquito midgut as an integrated system for the dissection of mucosal immune responses and homeostasis, the characterisation of the mosquito systemic immune response against malaria parasites and viruses, and the genetic modification of mosquitoes that are refractory to infection and can be used in population replacement strategies to reduce disease transmission using gene drive. We are also studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms facilitating pathogen development and replication within the vectors, especially how pathogens evade or endure the vector immune response.
Publications
Journals
Cai JA, Christophides GK, 2024, Immune interactions between mosquitoes and microbes during midgut colonization., Curr Opin Insect Sci
Bailey AJ, Ukegbu CV, Giorgalli M, et al., 2023, Intracellular Plasmodium aquaporin 2 is important for sporozoite production in the mosquito vector and malaria transmission., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol:120
Ukegbu CV, Gomes AR, Giorgalli M, et al., 2023, Identification of genes required for<i> Plasmodium</i> gametocyte-to-sporozoite development in the mosquito vector, Cell Host & Microbe, Vol:31, ISSN:1931-3128, Pages:1539-+
Bailey AJ, Ukegbu CV, Giorgalli M, et al., 2023, Intracellular<i>Plasmodium</i>aquaporin 2 is required for sporozoite production in the mosquito vector and malaria transmission
Ukegbu CV, Gomes AR, Giorgalli M, et al., 2023, Reverse genetic screen identifies malaria parasite genes required for gametocyte-to-sporozoite development in its mosquito host