1. Olfactory Physiology‌

Our laboratory maintains a dual focus on fundamental discovery and translational applications. In basic research, we investigate olfactory physiology across hematophagous arthropods including mosquitoes, biting midges, and ticks. Our core scientific inquiries encompass:

lNeurobiological mechanisms underlying human host detection, with particular emphasis on cellular/molecular basis of odorant perception;

• lMolecular determinants of chemical repellency against mosquitoes;

• lEvolutionary patterns of olfactory receptor genes within Insecta;

• lDevelopmental neurobiology and regulatory pathways in mosquito olfactory system.

To address these questions, we employ integrated methodologies spanning Q-system transgenics, single sensillum electrophysiology, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and quantitative behavioral analytics. This multidisciplinary approach aims to decode chemosensory neural architectures in hematophagous species, ultimately informing next-generation strategies for vector control and public health innovation.

2. Vector Intervention Strategies‌

Our applied research initiatives concentrate on two transformative approaches:

lDiscovery of novel mosquito repellent compounds;

lDevelopment of population modification technologies through transgenic engineering.

While DEET remains the gold-standard synthetic repellent since its 1950s introduction, limited alternatives exist to repel mosquitoes. Phytochemicals from traditional medicinal botanicals (e.g., Artemisia annua, Thymus vulgaris) would be very promising sources to identify novel volatile repellents. Through GC-MS fractionation and reverse chemical ecology approaches, we characterize bioactive components and their molecular targets in mosquito olfactory pathways.

Concurrently, we are engineering gene drive systems for mosquito population suppression and replacement strategies. Our transgenic constructs aim to either crash wild mosquito populations or generate pathogen-refractory phenotypes against deadly mosquito-borne pathogens (such as malaria parasites, dengue/Zika viruses). We propose that these precision-guided genetically engineered mosquitoes represent next generation of transformative biocontrol agents, advancing vector intervention paradigms beyond conventional insecticide-based approaches for sustainable disease mitigation.