Education: Postdoctoral and Visiting Scientists

Ecology and evolution of arboviruses

Mosquitoes of the genus Culex have been implicated as important vectors of WNV in Europe, Africa and North America. A competent arthropod vector is one in which the ingested virus is able to (1) infect the mesenteronal epithelial cells, (2) disseminate from the mesenteron and replicate in the salivary glands, and (3) be ejected with the salivary secretion during a blood meal. A post-doctoral fellowship is available to study viral replication in highly competent and poorly mosquitoes to elucidate this critical component of the viral transmission cycle.

Other research focuses on the virus. The arthropod-borne viruses generally appear to have slower rates of evolution than other viruses, perhaps due to the constraints imposed by multiplication in both arthropod and vertebrate hosts. But every virus, as identified by conventional phenotypic markers, is a genetically complex population that comprises multiple mutants. In an unchanging environment, this allows for relative evolutionary stasis or population equilibrium. Viral fitness represents the propensity to make a contribution to the gene pool of the next generation, i.e., propensity to survive and reproduce in a particular specified environment and population. When fluctuations occur in the environment, the fittest genotype has a distinct advantage unless conditions change to favor one of the mutants. Research is underway studying viral evolution and changes in viral fitness following passage in alternating vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.

Experience in virology, molecular techniques, histology desirable. Competitive, federally-funded salary (through Health Research, Inc.). Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae to: