How temperature changes mosquito–virus interactions
Official title: Modeling the influence of temperature on the evolution of vector-virus interactions
Funded at Wadsworth Center · NIH-11285463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how warmer temperatures change how mosquitoes and viruses like West Nile interact, which can affect people who live in or visit areas with mosquito-borne infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wadsworth Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Menands, United States) |
| Project start | February 3, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $491,551 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168097-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living in or traveling to regions where West Nile virus circulates, or anyone worried about mosquito-borne infection risk, are the most relevant population for the findings of this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with health issues unrelated to mosquito exposure or those living in areas without mosquito-borne virus risk are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
If you live where West Nile circulates, this project studies what warmer weather means for the chance of infection. The team combines laboratory experiments on Culex pipiens mosquitoes and different West Nile virus genotypes with mathematical models to see how temperature affects virus replication, evolution, and mosquito traits. Unlike older models that keep biology fixed, they let viral evolution and mosquito responses change over time and across temperature scenarios. All work is lab and computer based at the Wadsworth Center rather than a clinical trial in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve forecasts and early warnings for West Nile outbreaks so public health officials can better target prevention and reduce infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows warmer temperatures can speed viral replication and raise transmission risk, but combining temperature-driven viral evolution and variable mosquito population responses in dynamic models is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wadsworth Center
Menands, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ciota, Alexander Timothy — Wadsworth Center
- Study coordinator: Ciota, Alexander Timothy
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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.