# New Targets for Reproductive Control of Mosquito Vectors

> **NIH NIH R01** · CORNELL UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $540,378

## Abstract

New Targets for Reproductive Control of Mosquito Vectors
Project summary/abstract
In this project, we will investigate the actions of specific male seminal fluid molecules in
promoting fertility and fitness of the major disease vector of dengue, Zika yellow fever
and chikungunya viruses, Aedes aegypti. We will also define and analyze Aedes male
and female molecules that associate with and support sperm. Despite the crippling
impact of arbovirus infections, conventional mosquito control using insecticides can be
operationally difficult and is often ineffective. Strategies to replace or reduce populations
through modified male-releases show promise, but their success requires a deep
understanding of mosquito reproductive biology. Ae. aegypti males transfer molecules
in their seminal fluid to females during mating that induce female behavioral and
physiological changes, including stimulation of egg development and oviposition,
increased survival, and reluctance to re-mate with subsequent males. Despite the
potential of these molecules as vector-control targets, the molecular identity and actions
of these molecules are as yet unknown. During the current funding period, we utilized
the latest tools to gain novel insights into key aspects of male mating success, sperm
biology and female reproductive fitness, including identifying a limited subset of seminal
fluid proteins (Sfps) that induce post-mating changes in females, and small-molecules
such as juvenile hormone (JHIII) in seminal fluid. We propose two specific aims to (1)
identify the role of individual male seminal molecules on female remating, fecundity,
fertility, oviposition, lifetime reproductive success and survival and (2) to evaluate the
role of male- and female-derived molecules on sperm storage, function, and survival.
Our long-term goal is to design and deploy vector control strategies that target these
key components of mosquito life history to reduce the tremendous global burden of
mosquito-borne diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10586390
- **Project number:** 2R01AI095491-11
- **Recipient organization:** CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura C Harrington
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $540,378
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-06-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10586390

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10586390, New Targets for Reproductive Control of Mosquito Vectors (2R01AI095491-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10586390. Licensed CC0.

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