Spaccapelo Lab

Università degli Studi di Perugia

Vector control and disease prevention


With climate change and insecticide resistance increasing the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, new approaches are urgently needed.

We are part of a research and innovation network developing novel strategies to disrupt mosquito mating as a sustainable vector control method. This network brings together experts from multiple disciplines with the aim to identify and manipulate key molecular targets in mosquito mating, analyze behavioral effects, and explore applications for mating disruptors, gene drive systems, and specialized traps. In addition, symbiotic bacteria such as Wolbachia offer promising biocontrol methods by reducing mosquito populations and blocking disease transmission.

Collaborators

External:
Sapienza Università di Roma - Stefania Melillo & Leonardo Parisi
Università degli Studi di Camerino - Guido Favia
Università degli Studi di Parma - Laura Kramer
Agenzia Nazionale per le nuove technologie, l'energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile (ENEA) - Maurizio Calvitti
Genomix4Life s.r.l. - Giovanna Marchese
Keele University (UK) - Roberto Galizi

Funding

Bando PRIN 2022
MoSwarm - Demystifying mosquito sex: unraveling MOsquito SWARMs with lab-based 3D video tracking

INF-ACT Foundation - SYMPATHRY - Decrypting the symbionts-vectors-pathogens trilogy: new efficient tools for monitoring and control

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Staff Exchanges HORIZON-MSCA-SE-2023
STOP-MATING - Accelerating the development of mating disruptors for disease-transmitting mosquito control

Tools
Translate to