The aim of this 2 ECTS NDPIA course is to provide an in depth understanding of virus-vector interaction and transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne viruses.
It will provide better understanding of mosquitoes as vectors of arboviruses most of which are zoonotic in nature and affect both humans and animals. The course will include various aspects of the mosquito vector including; ecology, biology, population genetics, competence, capacity and how these factors influence virus transmission to the susceptible host. The course will also cover surveillance, identification, diagnostics, prevention and control, as well as arboviruses.

Programme

At the end of the course the participants should be able to;

1. Understand mosquito biology and virus transmission
2. Sample mosquitoes in all developmental stages and understand how mosquitoes are morphologically identified.
3. Know how mosquitoes are genetically identified using a barcoding approach.
4. Know how to screen mosquitoes for diverse viruses
5. Learn how the MALDI-TOF technique is carried out and its application in the identification of both mosquitoes and viruses.
6. To understand the concepts of laboratory colonization of mosquitoes, vector competence, virus-vector-host interaction and transmission dynamics of arthropod-borne viruses.
7. Know about vector control, surveillance, detection, remote sensing and response system for emerging mosquito-borne viral diseases

Venue

• Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
• Lecture hall: Major Groove, Norrland’s University Hospital (NUS) 6L, nod J, ground floor (-1) and E04, NUS 6E, nod R
• Laboratory: White lab, NUS 6L, nod J, floor 0
• Field work: Lilltuvan, Villanäs and Sand, Umeå

Target audience

• PhD students and postdocs (and master students) in the field of microbiology, virology, entomology, veterinaries, immunology, ecology, etc.

There will be an oral course examination in the form of group discussion based on the course aims.

Course leader: Dr. Olivia Wesula Lwande (olivia.lwande@umu.se), Department of Clinical Microbiology, Unit of Virology, Umeå University, Phone: +46 702476884

Registration deadline: 180430

Suggested accommodation: Hotell Björken (Lasarettsbacken 10, 907 46 Umeå)

NDPIA members can register below and have priority to attend the course (registered persons will be admitted when at least 10 persons have registered to the course). Please also indicate if you would like NDPIA co-funding for travel and accommodation costs (not for participants at Umeå University).

Non-NDPIA members: please contact anna.holmstrom@umu.se to announce your interest in attending the course.

Bookings