Vector-Host-Pathogen Interactions
Neelakanta laboratory studies vector-host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level. Current focus is to understand interactions of Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, and rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of Human anaplasmosis, with their tick vector Ixodes scapularis and mammalian hosts. In addition, we work on understanding interactions of Borrelia turicatae, the agent of relapsing fever, with its tick vector Ornithodoros turicata and mammalian hosts. We recently started working on understanding molecular interactions of Zika virus with mosquitoes. We use combination of microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, genomics, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics approaches to decipher important molecular aspects of these interactions. Understanding vector-host-pathogen interactions provides important information in the development of better strategies to treat and/or control vector-borne diseases.
Transmission-Blocking Vaccines
The long term goal of Neelakanta laboratory is to contribute for the development of universal transmission-blocking vaccine for treating or controlling vector-borne diseases. Current efforts are focused in testing efficacy of some of the important anti-vector vaccine candidates from both hard and soft ticks in the inhibition of tick feeding, oviposition and transmission of pathogens.
Vector Biology & Arthropod Bioinformatics
We study several aspects of vector biology in terms of understanding arthropod feeding, reproduction, oviposition, molting, behaviour to environment stimuli and symbiosis with microbes. In addition, we use bioinformatics followed by molecular experimental approaches to characterize promoters, transcription factors and potential posttranslational modifications on tick molecules.
Cold Tolerance and Innate Immunity in Arthropods
Studies in this area are focused in deciphering the role of tick Antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, in cold tolerance and interactions with microbes. In addition to ticks, we use Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study different aspects of cold tolerance and innate immune signalling. Studies in this area would decipher important insights in the organismal cold tolerance and innate immune pathways in arthropods at the molecular level.