New mosquito repellents that block smell, taste and nerve signals
Identification of powerful repellents that target mosquito olfaction, gustation and the Na-channel
Using AI and lab tests to find cheaper, longer-lasting mosquito repellents and insecticide alternatives to protect people at risk of 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 ID | NIH-11248417 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you live where mosquito-borne diseases are common, researchers are using artificial intelligence to screen millions of chemicals to find ones that keep mosquitoes from biting. They will test the top computer-predicted compounds in mosquito behavior assays that target how mosquitoes smell, taste, and how their nerve channels work. The goal is to identify compounds that work like or better than DEET or common pyrethroids but are safer, cheaper, and less affected by resistance. Promising candidates would move toward safety testing and product development for use in tropical communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in or traveling to tropical and subtropical areas where Aedes aegypti transmits dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases would be most likely to benefit from these results.
Not a fit: People who do not live in or travel to areas with Aedes aegypti or who face no risk of mosquito bites are unlikely to directly benefit in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce safer, affordable repellents or insecticide alternatives that reduce mosquito bites and lower malaria and dengue cases.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional chemical screens have struggled to deliver new products, but the team's preliminary AI-guided work has already validated promising repellent hits in mosquito behavior tests.
Where this research is happening
Riverside, United States
- 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 below.