Project name: Aedes aegypti

Description: Dengue and yellow fever are transmitted by Aedes aegypti, also known as the yellow fever mosquito. Dengue is an acute viral disease prevalent in most tropical urban areas of the world. A small percentage of people contracting dengue develop the more severe form of the disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. A. aegypti was the first arthropod identified as a vector involved in transmission of a viral disease, thereby playing an important role in the institution of vector control.Genetic and physical mapping techniques have been applied to define and compare genome organization and structure among and within mosquito species. The genome-based analysis of several mosquitos are in progress, including A. aegypti. The first DNA-based, complete mosquito genetic map was constructed for A. aegypti. In addition, a low resolution physical map has been generated, based upon chromosome microdissection and in situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes. Further genome-scale studies will contribute to our understanding of mosquito biology, vector competence and mosquito control.

Last updated: 2003-11-12