Name: rnai-mediated gene knockdown and in vivo diuresis assay in adult female aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Uploaded: 2012-07-14T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about RNAi-mediated Gene Knockdown and In Vivo Diuresis Assay in Adult Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes at JoVE.com

The authors thank Victoria Carpenter for her critical comments of this protocol.

Part I - RNAi-mediated gene knockdown in adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. For experiment overview see Figure 1.
1. dsRNA Synthesis
<ol>
 <li>Synthesize specific dsRNAs against genes of interest and control dsRNAs. 
 Note: We recommend developing primers for PCR fragments in the range of 300 to 500 base pairs located at the 3' end of the specific cDNA2 and with the T7 primer sequence attached at the 5' end (5'-TAA TAC GAC TCA CTA TAG GG-3'). Uniqueness of ...

<ol>
	<li>Drake, L. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Aquaporin+gene+family+of+the+yellow+fever+mosquito,+Aedes+aegypti.">The Aquaporin gene family of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.</a> PloS one. 5, e15578 (2010).</li><li>Shepard, A. R., Jacobson, N., Clark, A. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Importance+of+quantitative+PCR+primer+location+for+short+interfering+RNA+efficacy+determination.">Importance of quantitative PCR primer location for short interfering RNA efficacy determination.</a> Analytical biochemistry. 344, 287-288 (2005).</li><li>Altschul, S. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gapped+BLAST+and+PSI-BLAST:+a+new+generation+of+protein+database+search+programs.">Gapped BLAST and PSI-BLAST: a new generation of protein database search programs.</a> Nucleic acids research. 25, 3389-3402 (1997).</li><li>Garver, L., Dimopoulos, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protocol+for+RNAi+Assays+in+Adult+Mosquitoes+(A.+gambiae).">Protocol for RNAi Assays in Adult Mosquitoes (A. gambiae).</a> J. Vis. Exp. (5), e230 (2007).</li><li>Clements, A. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Volume+1+Development,+Nutrition,+and+Reproduction.">Volume 1 Development, Nutrition, and Reproduction.</a> The Biology of Mosquitoes. 2, (1992).</li><li>Hansen, I. A., Attardo, G. M., Park, J. H., Peng, Q., Raikhel, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Target+of+rapamycin-mediated+amino+acid+signaling+in+mosquito+anautogeny.">Target of rapamycin-mediated amino acid signaling in mosquito anautogeny.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 101, 10626-10631 (2004).</li><li>Hansen, I. A., Attardo, G. M., Roy, S. G., Raikhel, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Target+of+rapamycin-dependent+activation+of+S6+kinase+is+a+central+step+in+the+transduction+of+nutritional+signals+during+egg+development+in+a+mosquito.">Target of rapamycin-dependent activation of S6 kinase is a central step in the transduction of nutritional signals during egg development in a mosquito.</a> The Journal of biological chemistry. 280, 20565-20572 (2005).</li><li>Pannabecker, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Physiology+of+the+Malpighian+Tubule.">Physiology of the Malpighian Tubule.</a> Annual review of entomology. 40, 493-510 (1995).</li><li>Dow, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+insights+into+Malpighian+tubule+function+from+functional+genomics.">New insights into Malpighian tubule function from functional genomics.</a> Comp Biochem Phys A. 150, S135 (2008).</li><li>Dow, J. A. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insights+into+the+Malpighian+tubule+from+functional+genomics.">Insights into the Malpighian tubule from functional genomics.</a> Journal of Experimental Biology. 212, 435-445 (2009).</li><li>Lawson, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=VectorBase:+a+data+resource+for+invertebrate+vector+genomics.">VectorBase: a data resource for invertebrate vector genomics.</a> Nucleic acids research. 37, 583-587 (2009).</li><li>Beyenbach, K. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transport+mechanisms+of+diuresis+in+Malpighian+tubules+of+insects.">Transport mechanisms of diuresis in Malpighian tubules of insects.</a> J. Exp. Biol. 206 (Pt 21), 3845-3856 (2003).</li><li>Coast, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Continuous+recording+of+excretory+water+loss+from+Musca+domestica+using+a+flow-through+humidity+meter:+hormonal+control+of+diuresis.">Continuous recording of excretory water loss from Musca domestica using a flow-through humidity meter: hormonal control of diuresis.</a> Journal of insect physiology. 50, 455-468 (2004).</li><li>Kersch, C. N., Pietrantonio, P. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mosquito+Aedes+aegypti+(L.)+leucokinin+receptor+is+critical+for+in+vivo+fluid+excretion+post+blood+feeding.">Mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) leucokinin receptor is critical for in vivo fluid excretion post blood feeding.</a> FEBS letters. 585, 3507-3512 (2011).</li><li>Hays, A. R., Raikhel, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+protein+produced+by+the+vitellogenic+fat+body+and+accumulated+in+mosquito+oocytes.">A novel protein produced by the vitellogenic fat body and accumulated in mosquito oocytes.</a> Development Genes and Evolution. 199, 114-121 (1990).</li></ol>

The RNAi protocol used has been developed in the laboratory of Alexander Raikhel at the University of California Riverside6,7 and is similar to a protocol published by Garver and Dimopoulos4. The experimental approach shown in this video protocol can be used to study genes involved in insect diuresis in an in vivo setting. The excretory organs of insects, the Malpighian tubules, have attracted the interest of generations of researchers as a 'simple' model system for diuresis. This organ is ...

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name 			of reagent or equipment</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue 			number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>MEGAscript 			T7 			High Yield Kit</td>
 <td>Ambion, 			Inc.</td>
 <td>AM1334</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>PBS 			buffer</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>P4417</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Plastic 			tubing</td>
 <td>Local 			vendor</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>PVC</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 			ml plastic pipette tip</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>83007-376</td>
 <td>Blue 			tip</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 			ml syringe</td>
 <td>Becton, 			Dickinson and Company</td>
 <td>309602</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scissors </td>
 <td>Local 			vendor</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Metal 			needle</td>
 <td>Carolina 			Biologicals</td>
 <td>654307</td>
 <td>Size 			5</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Fly 			pad</td>
 <td>Genesee 			Scientific</td>
 <td>789060</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Battery-powered 			aspirator w/ collection vial</td>
 <td>UPMA 			Labs</td>
 <td>IPMM 			2000</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Fine 			tip forceps</td>
 <td>World 			Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>14095</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Glass 			capillary needles</td>
 <td>World 			Precision Instruments</td>
 <td>1B200-6</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Stereo 			dissection microscope </td>
 <td>Leica 			Microsystems</td>
 <td>S6D</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Analytical 			precision balance</td>
 <td>Mettler 			Toledo</td>
 <td>AB54S</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sucrose</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>84097</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>One 			pint waxed lined cardboard cups</td>
 <td>Local 			vendor</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Manufactured 			soup cups</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Mesh 			net</td>
 <td>Local 			vendor</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>plastic 			fly gauze</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

rnai-mediated gene knockdown and in vivo diuresis assay in adult female aedes aegypti mosquitoes

This video protocol demonstrates an effective technique to knockdown a particular gene in an insect and conduct a novel bioassay to measure excretion rate. This method can be used to obtain a better understanding of the process of diuresis in insects and is especially useful in the study of diuresis in blood-feeding arthropods that are able to take up huge amounts of liquid in a single blood meal. 
This RNAi-mediated gene knockdown combined with an in vivo diuresis assay was developed by the Hansen lab to study the effects of RNAi-mediated knockdown of aquaporin genes on Aedes aegypti mosquito diuresis1. 
The protocol is setup in two parts: the first demonstration illustrates how to construct a simple mosquito injection device and how to prepare and inject dsRNA into the thorax of mosquitoes for RNAi-mediated gene knockdown. The second demonstration illustrates how to determine excretion rates in mosquitoes using an in vivo bioassay.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about RNAi-mediated Gene Knockdown and In Vivo Diuresis Assay in Adult Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes at JoVE.com

RNAi-mediated Gene Knockdown and In Vivo Diuresis Assay in Adult Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

In this protocol we combine RNAi-mediated gene silencing with an in vivo diuresis assay to study the effects knockdown of genes of interest has on mosquito fluid excretion.

RNAi-mediated Gene Knockdown and In Vivo Diuresis Assay in Adult Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

This video protocol demonstrates an effective technique to knockdown a particular gene in an insect and conduct a novel bioassay to measure excretion ...

rnai-mediated-gene-knockdown-vivo-diuresis-assay-adult-female-aedes

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Injection of dsRNA into Female A. aegypti Mosquitos

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining  which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes.  This video protocol illustrates a method used by the James lab to inject dsRNA into female A. aegypti mosquitoes, which harbor the dengue virus.  The technique for calibrating injection needles, manipulating the injection setup, and injecting dsRNA into the thorax is illustrated.

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes. This video protocol illustrates a method used by the James lab to inject dsRNA into female A. aegypti mosquitoes, which harbor the dengue virus. The technique for calibrating injection needles, manipulating the injection setup, and injecting dsRNA into the thorax is illustrated.

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining  which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes.  This video ...

Microinjection of A. aegypti Embryos to Obtain Transgenic Mosquitoes

In this video, Nijole Jasinskiene demonstrates the methodology employed to generate transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are vectors for dengue fever.  The techniques for correctly preparing microinjection needles, dessicating embryos, and performing microinjection are demonstrated.

In this video, Nijole Jasinskiene demonstrates the methodology employed to generate transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are vectors for dengue fever. The techniques for correctly preparing microinjection needles, dessicating embryos, and performing microinjection are demonstrated.

In this video, Nijole Jasinskiene demonstrates the methodology employed to generate transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are vectors for dengue ...

Protocol for Dengue Infections in Mosquitoes (A. aegypti) and Infection Phenotype Determination

The purpose of this procedure is to infect the Aedes mosquito with dengue virus in a laboratory condition and examine the infection level and dynamic of the virus in the mosquito tissues. This protocol is routinely used for studying mosquito-virus interactions, especially for identification of novel host factors that are able to determine vector competence. The entire experiment must be conducted in a BSL2 laboratory. Similar to Plasmodium falciparum infections, proper attire including gloves and lab coat must be worn at all times. After the experiment, all the materials that came in contact with the virus need to be treated with 75% ethanol and bleached before proceeding with normal washing. All other materials need to be autoclaved before discarding them.

Protocol for Dengue Infections in Mosquitoes A. aegypti and Infection Phenotype Determination

Once a gene is identified as potentially refractory for the dengue virus, it must be evaluated for it's role in preventing viral infections within the mosquito. This protocol illustrates how the extent of dengue infections of mosquitoes can be assayed. The techniques for growing up the virus in culture, membrane feeding mosquitoes human blood, and assaying viral titers in the mosquito midgut are demonstrated.

The purpose of this procedure is to infect the Aedes mosquito with dengue virus in a laboratory condition and examine the infection level and dynamic of ...

Dissection of Midgut and Salivary Glands from Ae. aegypti Mosquitoes

The mosquito midgut and salivary glands are key entry and exit points for pathogens such as Plasmodium parasites and Dengue viruses. This video protocol demonstrates dissection techniques for removal of the midgut and salivary glands from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. 



The mosquito midgut and salivary glands are key entry and exit points for vector pathogens like Plasmodium falciparum and the dengue virus. This video demonstrates the dissection techniques for removing the midgut and salivary glands from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

The mosquito midgut and salivary glands are key entry and exit points for pathogens such as Plasmodium parasites and Dengue viruses. This video protocol ...

Protocol for RNAi Assays in Adult Mosquitoes (A. gambiae)

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining  which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes.  This video protocol illustrates a method used by the Dimopoulos lab to inject dsRNA into Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which harbor the malaria parasite.  The technique manipulating the injection setup and injecting dsRNA into the thorax is illustrated.

Protocol for RNAi Assays in Adult Mosquitoes A. gambiae

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes. This video protocol illustrates a method used by the Dimopoulos lab to inject dsRNA into Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which harbor the malaria parasite. The technique manipulating the injection setup and injecting dsRNA into the thorax is illustrated.

RNAi Mediated Gene Knockdown and Transgenesis by Microinjection in the Necromenic Nematode Pristionchus pacificus

Although it is increasingly affordable for emerging model organisms to obtain completely sequenced genomes, further in-depth gene function and expression analyses by RNA interference and stable transgenesis remain limited in many species due to the particular anatomy and molecular cellular biology of the organism. For example, outside of the crown group Caenorhabditis that includes Caenorhabditis elegans3, stably transmitted transgenic lines in non-Caenorhabditis species have not been reported in this specious phylum (Nematoda), with the exception of Strongyloides stercoralis4 and Pristionchus pacificus5. To facilitate the expanding role of P. pacificus in the study of development, evolution, and behavior6-7, we describe here the current methods to use microinjection for making transgenic animals and gene knock down by RNAi. Like the gonads of C. elegans and most other nematodes, the gonads of P. pacificus is syncitial and capable of incorporating DNA and RNA into the oocytes when delivered by direct microinjection. Unlike C. elegans however, stable transgene inheritance and somatic expression in P. pacificus requires the addition of self genomic DNA digested with endonucleases complementary to the ends of target transgenes and coinjection markers5. The addition of carrier genomic DNA is similar to the requirement for transgene expression in Strongyloides stercoralis4 and in the germ cells of C. elegans. However, it is not clear if the specific requirement for the animals' own genomic DNA is because P. pacificus soma is very efficient at silencing non-complex multi-copy genes or that extrachromosomal arrays in P. pacificus require genomic sequences for proper kinetochore assembly during mitosis. The ventral migration of the two-armed (didelphic) gonads in hermaphrodites further complicates the ability to inject both gonads in individual worms8. We also demonstrate the use of microinjection to knockdown a dominant mutant (roller,tu92) by injecting double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the gonads to obtain non-rolling F1 progeny. Unlike C. elegans, but like most other nematodes, P. pacificus PS312 is not receptive to systemic RNAi via feeding and soaking and therefore dsRNA must be administered by microinjection into the syncitial gonads. In this current study, we hope to describe the microinjection process needed to transform a Ppa-egl-4 promoter::GFP fusion reporter and knockdown a dominant roller prl-1 (tu92) mutant in a visually informative protocol.

RNAi Mediated Gene Knockdown and Transgenesis by Microinjection in the Necromenic Nematode Pristionchus pacificus

In model organisms, transgenesis can manipulate gene functions while RNAi can knockdown specific mRNA transcripts 1-2. This protocol aims to illustrate the techniques needed to introduce stably transmitted DNA and transient double stranded RNA into the necromenic nematode Pristionchus pacificus for studies in evolutionary, developmental, and behavioral biology.

Although it is increasingly affordable for emerging model organisms to obtain completely sequenced genomes, further in-depth gene function and expression ...

In Vivo SiRNA Transfection and Gene Knockdown in Spinal Cord via Rapid Noninvasive Lumbar Intrathecal Injections in Mice

This report describes a step-by-step guide to the technique of acute intrathecal needle injections in a noninvasive manner, i.e. independent of catheter implantation. The technical limitation of this surgical technique lies in the finesse of the hands. The injection is rapid, especially for a trained experimenter, and since tissue disruption with this technique is minimal, repeated injections are possible; moreover immune reaction to foreign tools (e.g. catheter) does not occur, thereby giving a better and more specific read out of spinal cord modulation. Since the application of the substance is largely limited to the target region of the spinal cord, drugs do not need to be applied in large dosages, and more importantly unwanted effects on other tissue, as observed with a systemic delivery, could be circumvented1,2. Moreover, we combine this technique with in vivo transfection of nucleic acid with the help of polyethylenimine (PEI) reagent3, which provides tremendous versatility for studying spinal functions via delivery of pharmacological agents as well as gene, RNA, and protein modulators.

In Vivo SiRNA Transfection and Gene Knockdown in Spinal Cord via Rapid Noninvasive Lumbar Intrathecal Injections in Mice

This report describes a simple and rapid technique of intrathecal needle puncture for a localized transfection of siRNA in the lumbar spinal cord in mouse under short lasting light anesthesia.

This report describes a step-by-step guide to the technique of acute intrathecal needle injections in a noninvasive manner, i.e. independent of catheter ...

Fat Body Organ Culture System in Aedes Aegypti, a Vector of Zika Virus

The insect fat body plays a central role in insect metabolism and nutrient storage, mirroring functions of the liver and fat tissue in vertebrates. Insect fat body tissue is usually distributed throughout the insect body. However, it is often concentrated in the abdomen and attached to the abdominal body wall.
The mosquito fat body is the sole source of yolk proteins, which are critical for egg production. Therefore, the in vitro culture of mosquito fat body tissues represents an important system for the study of mosquito physiology, metabolism, and, ultimately, egg production. The fat body culture process begins with the preparation of solutions and reagents, including amino acid stock solutions, Aedes physiological saline salt stock solution (APS), calcium stock solution, and fat body culture medium. The process continues with fat body dissection, followed by an experimental treatment. After treatment, a variety of different analyses can be performed, including RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), qPCR, Western blots, proteomics, and metabolomics.
In our example experiment, we demonstrate the protocol through the excision and culture of fat bodies from the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, a principal vector of arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. RNA from fat bodies cultured under a physiological condition known to upregulate yolk proteins versus the control were subject to RNA-Seq analysis to demonstrate the potential utility of this procedure for investigations of gene expression.

Fat Body Organ Culture System in Aedes Aegypti, a Vector of Zika Virus

The fat body is the central metabolic organ in insects. We present a live organ culture system that enables the user to study the responses of isolated fat body tissue to various stimuli.

The insect fat body plays a central role in insect metabolism and nutrient storage, mirroring functions of the liver and fat tissue in vertebrates. Insect ...

Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes experimentally infected with Wolbachia are being utilized in programs to control the spread of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes can be released into the field to either reduce population sizes through incompatible matings or to transform populations with mosquitoes that are refractory to virus transmission. For these strategies to succeed, the mosquitoes released into the field from the laboratory must be competitive with native mosquitoes. However, maintaining mosquitoes in the laboratory can result in inbreeding, genetic drift and laboratory adaptation which can reduce their fitness in the field and may confound the results of experiments. To test the suitability of different Wolbachia infections for deployment in the field, it is necessary to maintain mosquitoes in a controlled laboratory environment across multiple generations. We describe a simple protocol for maintaining Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the laboratory, which is suitable for both Wolbachia-infected and wild-type mosquitoes. The methods minimize laboratory adaptation and implement outcrossing to increase the relevance of experiments to field mosquitoes. Additionally, colonies are maintained under optimal conditions to maximize their fitness for open field releases.

Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia are being released into natural populations to suppress the transmission of arboviruses. We describe methods to rear Ae. aegypti with Wolbachia infections in the laboratory for experiments and field release, taking precautions to minimize laboratory adaptation and selection.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes experimentally infected with Wolbachia are being utilized in programs to control the spread of arboviruses such as dengue, ...

Improved Fecundity and Fertility Assay for Aedes aegypti using 24 Well Tissue Culture Plates (EAgaL Plates)

Mosquitoes represent a significant public health problem as vectors of various pathogens. For those studies that require an assessment of mosquito fitness parameters, in particular egg production and hatch rates at the individual level, conventional methods have put a substantial burden on investigators due to high labor intensity and laboratory space requirements. Described is a simple method using 24 well tissue culture plate with agarose in each well and digital imaging of each well to determine egg numbers and hatch rates at an individual level with substantially reduced time and space requirements.

Improved Fecundity and Fertility Assay for Aedes aegypti using 24 Well Tissue Culture Plates EAgaL Plates

Described is a time and space-saving method to count eggs and determine hatch rates of individual mosquitoes using 24 well tissue culture plates, which can substantially increase the scale and speed of fecundity and fertility assays.

Mosquitoes represent a significant public health problem as vectors of various pathogens. For those studies that require an assessment of mosquito fitness ...