Tisa Tuladhar | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name:Tisa Tuladhar
Title: Characterization of microbiome diversity in mosquito species and Wolbachia infections across Culex species in Wooster, Ohio
Major:Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Advisor: Ferdinand Nanfack Minkeu

Mosquitoes are major vectors of diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. The mosquito microbiome, especially the endosymbiont Wolbachia, can influence pathogen transmission, thus genotyping its diverse strains is key for vector control. This study investigates the diversity and quantification of Wolbachia infections in Culex mosquito populations from Wooster, Ohio. Mosquitoes were collected using gravid traps, and we assessed the prevalence, intensity, and genetic diversity of Wolbachia strains (wsp, wAlbA, and wAlbB) using qPCR, strain-specific PCR, and phylogenetic analysis. Our findings revealed all sampled mosquitoes were infected with Wolbachia, with the majority exhibiting moderate to high infection levels. The wAlbB strain was the most prevalent, found in 80% of the samples, while wAlbA was less common, present in 40%. Dual infections with both wAlbA and wAlbB were observed in 35% of mosquitoes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Wolbachia strains in Wooster mosquitoes are closely related to strains found in Aedes albopictus, suggesting some strains are conserved across multiple mosquito species. These results highlight Wolbachia’s potential as a biocontrol agent to reduce pathogen transmission. Further research is needed to explore the interactions between Wolbachia and mosquito pathogens.

This I.S. excited me because it pushed me to work more independently and gave me the chance to do both fieldwork and lab work. I really enjoyed molecular work, a hands-on way to connect with the subject matter. Even though some parts didn’t go as planned, I learned how to troubleshoot and adapt, growing as a researcher and gaining confidence in handling real-world challenges.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.