The main research activities in the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology at Sya Innovation Center comprise:

1. Fundamental and Applied Parasitology Activities: These encompass a wide range of areas, including Parasite Biology and Taxonomy, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Immunology and Host-Parasite Interactions, Drug Discovery and Resistance, Genomics and Molecular Parasitology, One Health approaches, and Zoonotic Parasites.
2. Molecular Entomology: Our research in this area focuses on studying the molecular biology of disease vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks. The aim is to understand how these vectors transmit pathogens like malaria, dengue, and arboviruses, with the ultimate goal of developing effective control measures.
3. Fundamental and Applied Microbiology: Our department is actively engaged in studying a wide range of topics related to understanding and harnessing the potential of microorganisms. Microbiology plays a pivotal role in various scientific and practical applications, including medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental science. Here are some of the research activities in the field of fundamental and applied microbiology within our department:

These activities include, but are not limited to:

Fundamental Microbiology Research

• Microbial Diversity: Investigating the diversity of microorganisms in different environments to expand our knowledge of microbial life in insects.
• Microbial Ecology: Studying the interactions between microorganisms and their environments, including their roles in nutrient cycling, ecosystem stability, and biogeochemical processes.
• Microbial Physiology: Exploring the metabolic pathways, growth requirements, and cellular processes of microorganisms to understand their fundamental biology.
• Microbial Genetics: Investigating the genetics of microorganisms, including gene regulation, genetic transfers mechanisms, and the evolution of microbial genomes.
• Microbial Taxonomy and Phylogenetics: Classifying and characterizing microorganisms based on their evolutionary relationships and genetic similarities.
• Microbial Evolution: Researching the evolution of microorganisms, including the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the evolution of pathogenic traits.
• Microbial Cell Biology: Studying the structure and function of microbial cells, including cell division, motility, and cellular communication. 

Applied Microbiology Research: Microbial Biotechnologies for Vector-Borne Disease Control

In this research area, we harness the power of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, to target disease vectors. Below, we outline several microbial biotechnologies and strategies that we are currently developing for vector-borne disease control: 

• Entomopathogenic Fungi: Certain fungi, such as Metarhizium and Beauveria species, are natural insect pathogens. These fungi serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides, effectively infecting and eliminating disease vectors.
• Entomopathogenic Bacteria: Specific bacteria, such as Chromobacterium species, also function as natural insect pathogens.
• Wolbachia-Based Strategies: Wolbachia, a bacterium naturally found in many insect species, including mosquitoes, plays a vital role in our disease control strategies. We have developed techniques to introduce Wolbachia into mosquito populations, significantly reducing their capacity to transmit diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Wolbachia interferes with pathogen replication within the mosquito, consequently reducing vector competence.
• Genetically Modified Microbes: Our research leverages genetic engineering to create microbes with specific traits that make them highly effective biological control agents. For example, we have engineered fungi capable of producing insecticidal proteins, which, when infecting mosquitoes, result in their demise.
• Bacterial Symbionts: Some insects maintain natural symbiotic relationships with specific bacteria that we investigate for their potential in disease control. We are exploring the use of these bacterial symbionts to disrupt the development of pathogens within disease vectors.
• Microbial Larvicides: Microbes, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), produce proteins that are toxic to insect larvae. These proteins are integral to our microbial larvicides, which are employed to manage immature disease vectors in breeding sites, including stagnant water bodies.
• Attract and Kill Strategies: We are actively developing microbial biotechnology to create attractive baits that draw disease vectors. These baits are designed to be paired with insecticidal microbes, leading to the demise of the attracted vectors.
• Molecular Tools for Surveillance: Our research involves the development of microbial DNA markers that facilitate the tracking of disease vector movement. These molecular tools are invaluable for monitoring the spread of vector-borne diseases and their vectors.

These innovative microbial biotechnologies and strategies are at the forefront of our efforts to combat vector-borne diseases effectively, with an emphasis on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and public health impact.