Kristin Michel

TL;DR: 242 Anopheles gambiae genes from 18 gene families implicated in innate immunity are identified and marked diversification relative to Drosophila melanogaster is detected, confirming that sequence diversification is accompanied by specific responses to different immune challenges.

TL;DR: Analysis of immune signaling pathways and response modules reveals both conservative and rapidly evolving features associated with different functional gene categories and particular aspects of immune reactions, suggesting how innate immunity may have evolved.

TL;DR: The authors investigated the genomic basis of vectorial capacity and explore new avenues for vector control, sequenced the genomes of 16 anopheline mosquito species from diverse locations spanning ~100 million years of evolution Comparative analyses show faster rates of gene gain and loss, elevated gene shuffling on the X chromosome, and more intron losses, relative to Drosophila.

TL;DR: The genomic sequence of C. quinquefasciatus is described, which reveals distinctions related to vector capacities and habitat preferences, and confirmed that inoculation with unfamiliar bacteria prompted strong immune responses in Culex.

TL;DR: An enhanced conceptual understanding ofRNAi function in insects will facilitate the application of RNAi for dissection of gene function, and to fast-track the application to both control pests and develop effective methods to protect beneficial insects and non-insect arthropods from viral and parasitic diseases.