Ian Patterson

Mosquitoes can be infected with a wide range of viruses – some of which only infect mosquitoes and some that can be transmitted to mammals and cause disease. Many questions remain regarding virus replication in the host and the interplay of insect-specific viruses in the scope of superinfections with more dangerous pathogens, such as chikungunya virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and Zika virus.

My research examines the transmission and interactions of viruses, both disease causing and insect-specific, in hosts and how such interactions affect host susceptibility and vector competence. We will also aim to understand specific virus functions during infection and how these functions affect the host’s response towards pathogens.