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Mosquitoes are the unwanted housemates of the human race. The viruses they carry have a devastating impact on public health. Listen to stories of science being used to combat mosquitoes and their diseases from two perspectives.
Mosquito: human's apex predator
Dr. Cassandra Koh
(Post-doctoral researcher, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Unité de Virus et Interférence ARN/ CNRS-UMR3569 )
The toxic relationship between mosquitoes and humans has lasted over centuries. From bednets to genetics, methods used to keep mosquitoes away have evolved. Will the mosquitoes fight back? What do war, poverty, and morals have to do with it all?
Virus evolution: superpower and downfall
Dr. Veronica Rezelj
(Post-doctoral researcher, Institut Pasteur)
Viruses are simple organisms that can evolve fast. This makes them easily resistant to drugs used to treat them. Can we predict how mosquito-transmitted viruses evolve in the different environments they encounter? How can we use this against them?
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