The research in our laboratory focuses on the role of melanization in mosquito immune response against pathogens and parasites, female adult mosquito reproduction regulated by hormone, and the physiological, biochemical and molecular adaptation of parasitoid wasp to it hosts. Mosquitoes transmit numerous diseases, and some of them are among the most threatening in modern times. Malaria is particularly devastating, taking a heavy toll on the human population in many parts of the world by infecting over 300 million and killing around 1 million people each year. After infected by the pathogens and parasites, mosquito may elicit melanization response and finally kill the invaders. Thus, understanding the molecular basis of melanization response is of great importance for the future development of novel approaches to vector and pathogen control. We are now studying the role of melanization and serine protease cascade involving in the anti-fungi immune responses (two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae). The other project conduced on mosquitoes is to study the hormone regulated mosquito reproduction. Female mosquitoes require vertebrate blood for their egg maturation. This need for blood feeding is used by pathogens of devastating human diseases for their obligatory life cycle stages. The insect-specific hormone, Juvenile Hormone (JH), plays a key role in reproduction regulation of the post-eclosion (PE) development of female mosquitoes. We are now deciphering the JH regulated gene cohorts and their function in controlling mosquito’s egg development. Our investigation of mosquito immunity and reproduction is of paramount importance for developing novel approaches to control mosquitoes and their ability to transmit pathogens.

Herbivores damage crop directly as well as transmit phytopathogens. Parasitoid wasps, and entomopathogens play important roles in the biological pest control. Many studies have been focused on identifying key molecules involved in host defense mechanisms so far. Another study area in our lab focuses on understanding how the host's immune system protects insects from microbial or parasitoid invasion. We investigated the interaction between cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera and different biological agents for understanding at the cellular and molecular level how virulence factors suppress the host immune system, and disrupt encapsulation and other defense responses. Our long-term goal is to develop novel strategies for pest control via revealing the immunological mechanism between them.

We closely work with our oversea collaborators (Dr. Alexander Raihkel, University of California Riverside, Dr. Haobo Jiang, Oklahoma State University) on the above research projects. We have already established a modern research platform for insect physiological, biochemical and molecular studies using combined tools of molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Advanced analytical techniques such as GC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS, FPLC, GC are also used in our researches. Current projects in the laboratory are currently supported by funds from Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National nature Science fund, and National Basic Research Program of China.

Contact Information:
Group Head: Prof. Dr. Zhen ZOU
Postal Address:
The Stat Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents
Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences
1 Beichen West Road, Beijing 100101,China
Telephone: (+ 86) 10 64807190 (Office); (+ 86) 10 64806377 (Lab)
Fax: (+ 86) 10 64807099
E-mail: zouzhen@ ioz.ac.cn