Researching the Zika virus
Professor Jayme Souza-Neto, a Brazilian researcher involved in the Keele-FAPESP (FAPESP is the research funding agency of Sao Paulo state) research network, has been selected in Brazil as one of three PIs to investigate the molecular interactions between the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti and Zika virus (ZIKV).
Dr Souza-Neto and Dr Julien Pelletier, School of Life Sciences at Keele University, have been hired under a Keele-FAPESP research agreement to develop a scientific co-operation between Keele and researchers in the state of Sao Paulo. They are currently working together to develop an ambitious international research programme to study the molecular aspects of the biology of mosquito vectors and the molecular interactions between mosquitoes and pathogens.
Zika virus is now identified as a main threat for human health, and CAEP (Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology) researchers in the School of Life Sciences now have a unique opportunity to contribute to Zika research via the Keele-FAPESP network. Professor Souza-Neto will be spending four months in Keele from July to October and Julien goes back to Brazil from June to September.