Finding new mosquito repellents to prevent disease transmission
Official title: Identification of powerful repellents that target mosquito olfaction, gustation and the Na-channel
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11028252 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating new mosquito repellents that are better at keeping mosquitoes away from people, especially in tropical areas, to help prevent diseases like malaria and dengue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | December 16, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $506,842 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC022286-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11028252 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in tropical regions who are at risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in areas with high mosquito populations or those who are not at risk for mosquito-borne diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative mosquito repellents that target the sensory systems mosquitoes use to detect humans. By utilizing advanced AI-based methods, the team aims to identify new compounds that can effectively repel mosquitoes and reduce the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue. The approach involves screening millions of chemical compounds to find those that can be effective in real-world applications, especially in tropical regions where current repellents are underused due to cost and convenience issues. The goal is to create safer and more effective alternatives to existing repellents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more accessible and effective mosquito repellents, significantly reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using AI and cheminformatics to identify new chemical compounds, indicating that this approach could yield successful results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, Anandasankar — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Ray, Anandasankar
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.