Name: maintaining aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with wolbachia
Uploaded: 2017-08-14T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia at JoVE.com

Reconocemos Heng Lin Yeap, Chris Paton, Petrina y Clare Doig por sus contribuciones al desarrollo de nuestros métodos de mantenimiento de la Colonia y Johnson tres revisores anónimos por sus sugerencias que ayudaron a mejorar el manuscrito. Nuestra investigación es apoyada por un programa de subvención y beca de AAH del nacional salud y donación de Consejo de investigación médica y una traducción de la Wellcome Trust. PAR es un recipiente de un australiano gobierno investigación beca programa de formación.

Sangre alimentación de los mosquitos en seres humanos fue aprobada por la Universidad de Melbourne Comité de ética humana (aprobación #: 0723847). Todos los voluntarios siempre informaron consentimiento.
1. larvas de crianza
Nota: Los mosquitos se llevan a cabo en 26 ± 0,5 ° C y 50-70% de humedad relativa, con un fotoperiodo de 12:12 h (luz: obscuridad) para este protocolo de mantenimiento de la Colonia. Estas condiciones son similares a las condiciones climáti...

Siguiendo el protocolo que presentamos para el mantenimiento de Wolbachia-infectados Ae. aegypti deben garantizar que los mosquitos sanos de una calidad constante se producen para los experimentos y abren notas de campo. A diferencia de otros protocolos que prioricen la producción de grandes cantidades de mosquitos (véase la referencia57), los métodos se centran en maximizar su aptitud, tanto dentro de las generaciones mediante la implementación de las condiciones de cría re...

Los mosquitos Aedes aegypti son responsables para la transmisión de los arbovirus más importantes del mundo, incluyendo dengue, Zika y chikungunya1. Estos virus se están convirtiendo en una amenaza creciente para la salud global, como la distribución generalizada de Ae. aegypti en las zonas tropicales continúa ampliando2,3,4. Hembra de Ae. aegypti preferentemente se alimentan de sangre humana5 y así tienden a vivir en proximidad cercana a los seres humanos, particularmente en las zonas urbanas donde las poblaciones son más densas. A través de esta asociación cercana con los seres humanos también se han adaptado para reproducirse en ambientes artificiales, como neumáticos, macetas, canaletas y tanques de agua6,7. AE. aegypti también fácilmente adaptarse a entornos de laboratorio donde se puede mantener sin cualquier requisito especial después de ser recogido directamente en el campo, a diferencia de algunas otras especies de Aedes género8, 9,10. Su facilidad de mantenimiento ha visto ampliamente estudiado en el laboratorio en una amplia gama de campos, en última instancia, con el objetivo de controlar los mosquitos de enfermedades puede transmitir.
Tradicionalmente, control por arbovirus depende en gran medida el uso de insecticidas para reducir poblaciones de mosquitos. Sin embargo, hay creciente interés en los enfoques donde los mosquitos modificados son criados en el laboratorio y luego liberados en las poblaciones naturales. Los mosquitos liberados pueden modificarse genéticamente11,12,13, biológicamente14,15, a través de irradiación16, tratamiento químico17,18, o combinación de técnicas19 para suprimir las poblaciones de mosquitos o reemplazarlos con los mosquitos que son refractarios a transmisión arboviral20.
Wolbachia son bacterias que se utilizan actualmente como un agente de control biológico para arbovirus. Varias cepas de Wolbachia se introdujeron recientemente en Ae. aegypti experimentalmente usando microinjection embrionario21,22,23,24. Estas cepas reducen la capacidad de arbovirus a difundir y replicar en el mosquito, disminuyendo su transmisión potencial23,25,26,27,28 . Wolbachia infecciones se transmiten de madre a hijos, sin embargo algunas cepas inducen esterilidad cuando los machos infectados aparean con las hembras no infectadas22. Wolbachia-varones infectados por lo tanto pueden ser lanzados en grandes cantidades para suprimir las poblaciones de mosquitos naturales, recientemente demostradas en otras especies de Aedes 15,29. Sin embargo, puesto que Wolbachia también inhiben la transmisión arboviral en Ae. aegypti, mosquitos pueden también lanzar para reemplazar las poblaciones nativas con vectores más pobres. Ae. aegypti infectado experimentalmente con Wolbachia ahora están siendo liberados en el campo en varios países con este último enfoque14,30,31.
Wolbachia-basada en enfoques de control arboviral dependen de una sólida comprensión de las interacciones entre Wolbachia, el mosquito y el medio ambiente. Wolbachia ocurre naturalmente en una amplia gama de insectos, y las tensiones que introducen los mosquitos son diversas en sus efectos32. Como se introducen nuevos tipos de infección por Wolbachia en Ae. aegypti24, es necesario caracterizar cada cepa por sus efectos en la aptitud de mosquito, reproducción y arboviral interferencia en una variedad de condiciones. Experimentación rigurosa en el laboratorio, por tanto, es necesaria para evaluar el potencial de las cepas de Wolbachia tener éxito en el campo.
Notas de campo abierto de Ae. aegypti con Wolbachia infecciones a menudo pueden requerir miles a decenas de miles de mosquitos por la zona de lanzamiento para ser criaban cada semana14,30,31. El éxito de los lanzamientos iniciales puede mejorarse liberando mosquitos de gran tamaño para maximizar su fecundidad33 y acoplamiento éxito34,35. Los mosquitos también deben ser adaptados a las condiciones que se experimentan en el campo, cría de laboratorio sin embargo a largo plazo puede causar cambios en comportamiento y fisiología que podría afectar el campo rendimiento36,37, 38.
Se describe un protocolo simple para la cría de Ae. aegypti en el laboratorio utilizando equipamiento básico. Este protocolo es conveniente para ambos tipo de salvaje y Wolbachia-infectados por mosquitos, que puede requerir especial atención ya que algunas cepas de Wolbachia tienen efectos sustanciales sobre la historia de la vida rasgos de mosquito39, 40. las condiciones de cría evitar el hacinamiento y la competencia por el alimento producir mosquitos de tamaño constante, que es crítica para la competencia de vector y los experimentos de fitness y asegura que los mosquitos son saludables para el lanzamiento de campo41 . También tomamos precauciones para minimizar la adaptación del laboratorio y la endogamia mediante la reducción de presiones selectivas y asegurándose de que la próxima generación se muestrea de una piscina grande, al azar. Sin embargo, los entornos de laboratorio son claramente diferentes de las condiciones de campo, y mantenimiento a largo plazo en condiciones relajadas podría reducir la capacidad de los mosquitos al soltar en el campo37,42,43 . Por lo tanto cruzamos las hembras de líneas de laboratorio al campo los hombres periódicamente, dando lugar a colonias que son genéticamente similares comparaciones experimentales y que se adaptan a la meta de población campo39. Los métodos no requieren de ningún equipo especializado y pueden ampliarse a posterior decenas de miles de personas por semana para los lanzamientos de campo. El protocolo también da prioridad a la aptitud de mosquitos dentro y a través de generaciones, una consideración importante para los insectos destinados al establecimiento de las poblaciones naturales. El protocolo es conveniente para la mayoría de los laboratorios que requieren mantenimiento de Ae. aegypti, especialmente para las comparaciones experimentales donde una calidad constante de los mosquitos y relatability al campo son importantes.

<table width="1661">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="width:287px;height:24px;">Wild type Aedes aegypti</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:1087px;">Collected from field locations in Queensland, Australia, see Yeap and others39 for details</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="width:287px;height:24px;">w Mel-infected Aedes aegypti</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Provided by Monash University. Refer to Walker and others23 for information on the strain</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="width:287px;height:24px;">w AlbB-infected Aedes aegypti</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Provided by Monash University. Refer to Xi and others21 for information on the strain</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="width:287px;height:24px;">w MelPop-infected Aedes aegypti</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Provided by Monash University. Refer to McMeniman and others22 for information on the strain</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Instant dried yeast</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Lowan</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Stimulates egg hatching. Found in general grocery stores. Other brands may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">5 L plastic tub</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Quadrant</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Q110950</td>
			<td>Used for hatching and rearing larvae. Other products may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Fish Food (Tetramin Tropical Tablets)</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Tetra</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">16152</td>
			<td>Provided to larvae as a source of food. Web address: https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-16152-TetraMin-Tropical-10-93-Ounce/dp/B00025Z6SE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Plastic containers</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Used for rearing larvae. Any plastic container above 500 mL should be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Glass pipette</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Used for transferring larvae and pupae between containers. Web address: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10Pcs-Durable-Long-Glass-Experiment-Medical-Pipette-Dropper-Transfer-Pipette-Lab-Supplies-With-Red-Rubber-Cap/32704471109.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.2.py4Kez</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Clicker counter</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">RS Pro</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">710-5212</td>
			<td>Used to assist in the counting of larvae, pupae and eggs. Web address: http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/products/7105212/?grossPrice=Y</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Rearing trays</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Gratnells</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Used for rearing larvae. Web address: http://www.gratnells.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Nylon mesh</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Used to transfer larvae and pupae to containers of fresh water. Other brands may be used. Web address: https://www.spotlightstores.com/fabrics-yarn/specialty-apparel-fabrics/nettings-tulles/nylon-netting/p/BP80046941001-white</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Cages</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">BugDorm</td>
			<td>DP1000</td>
			<td>Houses adult mosquitoes. Alternative products may be used. Web address: http://bugdorm.megaview.com.tw/bugdorm-1-insect-rearing-cage-30x30x30-cm-pack-of-one-p-29.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">35 mL plastic cup</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Huhtamaki</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AA272225</td>
			<td>Used to provide water or sucrose to adult mosquitoes. Other brands may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">35 mL plastic cup lid</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Huhtamaki</td>
			<td>GB030005</td>
			<td>Used to provide sucrose to adult mosquitoes. Other brands may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Cotton wool</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Cutisoft</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">71841-13</td>
			<td>Moist cotton wool is provided as a source of water to adults. Other brands may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">White Sugar</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Provided as a source of sugar to adult mosquitoes. Found in general grocery stores</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Rope</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">M Recht Accessories</td>
			<td>C323C/W</td>
			<td>Used to provide sucrose solution to adults. Other brands may be used. Web address: https://mrecht.com.au/haberdashery/braids-cords-and-tapes/cords/plaited-cord/cotton/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Plastic cup (large)</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Used as an oviposition container. Any plastic cup that holds 100 mL of water should be suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Sandpaper</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Norton Master Painters</td>
			<td>CE015962</td>
			<td>Provided as an oviposition substrate. Alternative products may be used, but we use this brand because it is relatively odorless. Lighter colors are used for contrast with eggs. Web address: https://www.bolt.com.au/115mm-36m-master-painters-bulk-roll-p80-medium-p-9396.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Filter paper</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">Whatman</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1001-150</td>
			<td>Used as an alternative oviposition substrate. Other brands may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="width:287px;height:21px;">Latex gloves</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">SemperGuard</td>
			<td>Z560979</td>
			<td>Prevents mosquito bites on hands when blood feeding. Other brands may be used. Web address: http://www.sempermed.com/en/products/detail/semperguardR_latex_puderfrei_innercoated/</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

maintaining aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with wolbachia

Los mosquitos Aedes aegypti infectados experimentalmente con Wolbachia se están utilizando en los programas para controlar la propagación de arbovirus como el dengue, el chikungunya y Zika. Wolbachia-mosquitos infectados pueden ser lanzados en el campo o bien reducir el tamaño de la población a través de cruzamientos incompatibles o transformar las poblaciones de mosquitos que son refractarios a la transmisión del virus. Para que estas estrategias tener éxito, los mosquitos liberados en el campo del laboratorio deben ser competitivos con los mosquitos nativos. Sin embargo, mantener los mosquitos en el laboratorio resulta en endogamia, deriva genética y adaptación de laboratorio que puede reducir su aptitud en el campo y puede confundir los resultados de experimentos. Para probar la idoneidad de diferentes infecciones de Wolbachia para el despliegue en el campo, es necesario mantener los mosquitos en un entorno de laboratorio controlado a través de múltiples generaciones. Se describe un protocolo simple para mantener los mosquitos Ae. aegypti en el laboratorio, que es conveniente para ambos Wolbachia-mosquitos infectados y tipo salvaje. Los métodos minimizan la adaptación de laboratorio y aplicación exogamia para aumentar la relevancia de los experimentos a los mosquitos de campo. Además, las colonias se mantienen en condiciones óptimas para maximizar su aptitud para los lanzamientos de campo abierto.

Figura 4 muestra los efectos de la nutrición subóptima en el desarrollo de larvas de Ae. aegypti . Cuando contenedores cuentan con 0,25 mg de alimento por larva por día o menos, aumenta el tiempo de desarrollo para hombres y mujeres, y menos sincrónico que en contenedores cuenta con 0.5 mg de alimento. Si no se proporciona alimentación adecuada durante toda la duración del desarrollo larvario, esto podría tener un impacto adverso en el program...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia at JoVE.com

Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia

Mantener los mosquitos Aedes aegypti infectados con Wolbachia

Los mosquitos Aedes aegypti infectados con Wolbachia están siendo liberados en las poblaciones naturales para suprimir la transmisión de arbovirus. Se describen métodos para posterior Ae. aegypti con Wolbachia infecciones en el laboratorio para los experimentos y la liberación del campo, tomar precauciones para reducir al mínimo la selección y adaptación de laboratorio.

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

The overall goal of this protocol is to describe the maintenance of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia. These mosquitoes are being released around the world to suppress the transmission of dengue and other viruses. Our protocol for rearing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can be used by any researchers who are interested in using mosquitoes for experiments or disease control programs.This method can also be used for rearing genetically modified mosquitoes for mosquito population control programs, including those that involve sterile insect release. The principles involved in this approach can also be applied to the rearing of other disease vector species. For this protocol, house the mosquitoes at approximately 26 degrees Celsius and at 50 to 70%relative humidity with an equatorial photo period.If they are reared at higher temperatures, the Wolbachia infections could be lost, so do not overheat the colonies. Maintain around 500 mosquitoes per population to minimize inbreeding. Using this protocol with adequate nutrition will yield 28 day generations.Begin with eggs on a substrate. Submerge them in trays containing three liters of water with about 300 milligrams of fish food and a few grains of active, dry yeast to induce hatching. One day after hatching, use a glass pipet to transfer approximately 500 larvae to trays containing four liters of water and fresh fish food.Check the trays daily to ensure that the larvae have sufficient food. Add about 600 milligrams of fish food every other day to maintain an optimal food supply. Overfeeding can result in water clouding and thus mortality, so replace the water as needed.If nutrition and temperatures are maintained correctly, the larvae will pupate five to seven days after hatching. And adults will emerge approximately two days later. Seven days after hatching, pour the entire contents of the tray through a fine mesh.Retain some of the filtered water in a five liter container for ova position in the same colony. Next, invert the mesh, and dip it into a plastic container with 200 milliliters of water to transfer the pupae. Add the appropriate amount of food to feed any remaining larvae.Now, set up an adult emergence cage with two cups of 10%sucrose solution and two cups of moist cotton balls to prevent desiccation. If the pupae do not need to be sorted by sex, transfer the container of pupae into a cage, and leave the lid slightly ajar for the adults to escape and enter the cage. After all of the adults have emerged, remove the container from the cage.Do not select against slow developers by taking the container out sooner. To collect virgin mosquitoes, transfer the pupae from the larval rearing trays to plastic containers with 200 milliliters of water every 24 hours. Sort the sexes by size.Females are larger than males. And transfer them to separate containers. Keep the lids closed on the containers so the adults do not escape.Before releasing the emerging adults into their cages, confirm their sex. Incorrectly sexed adults must be removed using an aspirator within 24 hours of emergence while they are still sexually immature. To keep the Wolbachia infected colonies similar to a natural population, cross the infected females from the lab to uninfected wild males.Mature the males and females separately for two days. And then aspirate the females into the male cage. Ideally, set up a one to one sex ratio with a population size of around 500.Proceed to outcross the mosquitoes for at least three consecutive generations. At least three days after the last adults emerge, and before they are two weeks old, blood feed the colony before excessive female mortality occurs. This is particularly important for mosquitoes with Wolbachia infections that shorten lifespan.The sugar cups should be removed the day before. Give the mosquitoes access to a forearm, and wear a latex glove to protect the hand and wrist. Most females should be fed within five minutes.But it can take up to 15 minutes. Once all the females are visibly engorged, remove the forearm, and replace the sugar cups. Two days after blood feeding, place two plastic cups filled with water and lined with a partially submerged strip of sandpaper into the cage.Then, remove any other water source except for the sugar water. The females will oviposit on the sandpaper just above the water line from three days after blood feeding. Collect and replace the sandpaper daily until no more eggs are laid.If more eggs are needed, blood feeding can be performed at weekly intervals. Partially dry the sandpaper with about 30 seconds of gentle blotting using a paper towel. Do not dislodge the eggs.Then, wrap the strips in a sheet of dry paper towel, and place it into a sealable plastic bag. Three days post collection, inspect the eggs under a dissecting microscope. If the sandpaper is too wet, the eggs may hatch before being submerged in water.But if it dried too harshly, the eggs may collapse. The eggs are ready to hatch three days after collection. Submerge all the eggs from each colony into the same container of water to produce a large pool of individuals for the next generation.Generally, eggs can be stored in a sealed container with a humidity greater than 80%at 20 degrees Celsius for several months. But some Wolbachia infections reduce viability, so these eggs should be hatched within a week of collection. When larvae containers were provided with 0.25 milligrams of food per larva per day or less, the development time increased for both sexes and was less synchronous than in containers provided with more food.If adequate food is not provided throughout the duration of development, this will negatively impact colony maintenance. Slowly developing individuals might be selected against, and blood feeding may be delayed. There may even be increased adult mortality before reproduction.Sub-optimal nutrition affected adult morphology. Wing lengths decreased substantially and correlated to nutrition levels. Uniform body sizes are important to experimental comparisons as body size is positively associated with fecundity, and large mosquitoes should be more fit under field conditions.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to maintain Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia. Following our protocol should ensure that healthy mosquitoes of a consistent quality are produced. These mosquitoes can then be released into the field for disease control programs or be used for experiments.When working with Wolbachia infected mosquitoes, it is important to monitor their infection status to ensure that the colonies maintain their Wolbachia infections.

maintaining-aedes-aegypti-mosquitoes-infected-with-wolbachia

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia

Wolbachia Bacterial Infection in Drosophila

Wolbachia Infección bacteriana en Drosophila

Investigación

Biología

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.

Microinyección de A. aegypti embriones para obtener los mosquitos transgénicos

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.

Protocolo para las infecciones de dengue en mosquitos (Aedes aegypti) y determinación de fenotipo infección

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 ...

Maintaining Wolbachia in Cell-free Medium

In this video protocol, procedures are demonstrated to (1) purify Wolbachia symbionts out of cultured mosquito cells, (2) use a fluorescent assay to ascertain the viability of the purified Wolbachia and (3) maintain the now extracellular Wolbachia in cell-free medium.  Purified Wolbachia remain alive in the extracellular phase but do not replicate until re-inoculated into eukaryotic cells.  Extracellular Wolbachia purified in this manner will remain viable for at least a week at room temperature, and possibly longer.  Purified Wolbachia are suitable for micro-injection, DNA extraction and other applications. 


This video describes a method for purifying Wolbachia pipientis from an Anopheles gambiae cell line and then culturing the endosymbiont in cell-free medium. An assay for viability of the bacterium is demonstrated.

El mantenimiento de Wolbachia en medio libre de células

In this video protocol, procedures are demonstrated to (1) purify Wolbachia symbionts out of cultured mosquito cells, (2) use a fluorescent assay to ...

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.

La disección de las glándulas salivales y del intestino medio de Ae. aegypti

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

Building a Better Mosquito: Identifying the Genes Enabling Malaria and Dengue Fever Resistance in A. gambiae and A. aegypti Mosquitoes

In this interview, George Dimopoulos focuses on the physiological mechanisms used by mosquitoes to combat Plasmodium falciparum and dengue virus infections.   Explanation is given for how key refractory genes, those genes conferring resistance to vector pathogens, are identified in the mosquito and how this knowledge can be used to generate transgenic mosquitoes that are unable to carry the malaria parasite or dengue virus.

In this interview, George Dimopoulos focuses on the physiological mechanisms used by mosquitoes to combat Plasmodium falciparum and dengue virus infections. Explanation is given for how key refractory genes, those genes conferring resistance to vector pathogens, are identified in the mosquito and how this knowledge can be used to generate transgenic mosquitoes that are unable to carry the malaria parasite or dengue virus.

La construcción de un mosquito mejor: La identificación de los genes que permiten resistencia a la malaria y el dengue en A. gambiae y A. aegypti

In this interview, George Dimopoulos focuses on the physiological mechanisms used by mosquitoes to combat Plasmodium falciparum and dengue virus ...

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.

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 mediada por Gene y Derribo<em&gt; En Vivo</em&gt; Ensayo de diuresis en Mujeres Adultas<em&gt; Aedes aegypti</em&gt; Los mosquitos

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

Physiological Recordings and RNA Sequencing of the Gustatory Appendages of the Yellow-fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti

Electrophysiological recording of action potentials from sensory neurons of mosquitoes provides investigators a glimpse into the chemical perception of these disease vectors. We have recently identified a bitter sensing neuron in the labellum of female Aedes aegypti that responds to DEET and other repellents, as well as bitter quinine, through direct electrophysiological investigation. These gustatory receptor neuron responses prompted our sequencing of total mRNA from both male and female labella and tarsi samples to elucidate the putative chemoreception genes expressed in these contact chemoreception tissues. Samples of tarsi were divided into pro-, meso- and metathoracic subtypes for both sexes. We then validated our dataset by conducting qRT-PCR on the same tissue samples and used statistical methods to compare results between the two methods. Studies addressing molecular function may now target specific genes to determine those involved in repellent perception by mosquitoes. These receptor pathways may be used to screen novel repellents towards disruption of host-seeking behavior to curb the spread of harmful viruses.

Physiological Recordings and RNA Sequencing of the Gustatory Appendages of the Yellow-fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti

Using two methods to estimate gene expression in the major gustatory appendages of Aedes aegypti, we have identified the set of genes putatively underlying the neuronal responses to bitter and repulsive compounds, as determined by electrophysiological examination.

Fisiológicos Grabaciones y RNA Secuenciación de los apéndices gustativas del mosquito de la fiebre amarilla<em&gt; Aedes aegypti</em

Electrophysiological recording of action potentials from sensory neurons of mosquitoes provides investigators a glimpse into the chemical perception of ...

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.

Sistema de cultivo de órganos de grasa corporal en Aedes Aegypti, Vector del Virus Zika

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 ...

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.

Ensayo mejorado de fecundidad y fertilidad para Aedes aegypti utilizando 24 placas de cultivo de tejidos de pozos (placas EAgaL)

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