Project properties

Title Control of malaria mosquito pathogens
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 12-36
Supervisor(s) Tessa Visser
Pieter Rouweler
Examiner(s) Sander Koenraadt
Contact info sander.koenraadt@wur.nl
Begin date 2022/02/01
End date 2024/01/01
Description The mosquito Anopheles coluzzii transmits malaria and is, therefore, one of the most dangerous vector species in the world. In the Laboratory of Entomology, we focus on novel tools to control this mosquito. We usually produce >500 females daily for our experiments in our rearing. However, due to a disease in our rearing, we experienced high larval mortality and problems with population stability.
Although improvements have been made regarding this problem, we are still dependent on applying a salt solution in our larval population to suppress the pathogen. We are looking for a BSc and/or MSc student to investigate this further.
In this thesis, you will test several treatments involving larval densities, feed quality, pathogen-inhibiting compounds, and experiments on life history traits to kill or reduce this pathogen.
Used skills Survival and reproduction experiments, Statistics, Literature review
Requirements For doing a BSc-thesis at Entomology, there are no requirements for specific courses.
For doing a MSc-thesis or internship at Entomology, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 + a second ENT-course (preferably ENT-30306 or ENT-50806 or ENT-53806). As an alternative for the second ENT-course, PHP-30806 or BHE-30306 can be selected.
Note: these requirements do not apply for MBI students; MBI students should check the requirements for doing an ENT MSc-thesis or internship in the study programme of their specialisation.