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Taste perception of host cues in the invasive disease vector mosquito Aedes albopictus

Award Number: R00DC021504
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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Taste perception of host cues in the invasive disease vector mosquito Aedes albopictus - PROJECT SUMMARY Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus), also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is a highly invasive and aggressive disease vector that has rapidly invaded every continent on earth except Antarctica. Ae. albopictus spreads diseases including Zika, Chikungunya, yellow fever, and dengue. Despite its immediate threat to human health, Ae. albopictus is highly understudied. Studies of other mosquitoes have focused on investigating how they integrate olfactory, visual, and thermal cues to guide their attraction to a blood-meal host. By contrast, there has been remarkably little study of mosquito taste systems, even though they may play a role in gating the final behavioral decision to bite a host. In particular, virtually nothing is known about taste in Ae. albopictus, a disease vector now in the US whose range is expanding rapidly because it outcompetes other species and because of climate change. Here we propose to use a systematic and multidisciplinary approach to test the hypothesis that Ae. albopictus uses its taste system to detect taste cues and guide biting behaviors. Because one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of vector-borne pathogens is through prevention of biting, more in-depth investigation of taste cues influencing biting behaviors may aid in development of improved vector control methods. Using novel tools, we will examine new aspects of chemical cues, neuronal taste coding, and receptors that affect biting behaviors. To investigate the cellular basis of taste detection, we will systematically test the physiological responses of taste neurons to a panel of taste compounds, including blends of host cues with varying compositions. We will examine the effect of host cues on biting behaviors. This may shed light on the age-old question of why some people get bitten more than others by mosquitoes. We will functionally test the genetic basis of host detection by generating transgenic CRISPR-Cas9 mutant mosquitoes. In summary, we aim to elucidate the mechanism of an understudied mosquito sensory system in a species that is highly invasive and dangerous yet has received relatively little attention. The mentoring team and Yale University provide ideal support for Dr. Baik’s path to independence. The research and career development objectives outlined in this proposal will provide the training needed for Dr. Baik to secure an Assistant Professor position by the end of the K99 phase, and to apply for R01 funding as an independent investigator.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $238,502 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	1/1/2026	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$238,502
														Subtotal = $238,502

Grand Total All Awards = $238,502

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Taste perception of host cues in the invasive disease vector mosquito Aedes albopictus

Award Number: R00DC021504

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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