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Mosquito Surveillance II

Mosquito Surveillance II

Mosquito Surveillance II

51 - Expanding the Arsenal of Arbovirus Surveillance Tools Using Capillary Alginate Hydrogel (Capgel) Biomaterials

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
4:30 PM - 4:40 PM PDT
Location: B110
Abstract: Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are a significant threat to global public health due to their high morbidity and mortality, as well as the potential long-term impacts on patient quality of life. Effective arbovirus surveillance enables early detection of (re)emerging viruses and supports timely public health responses. We developed a novel arbovirus surveillance system, the Engineered Tissue Arbovirus Surveillance (ETAS) platform, designed to detect both arboviral and mosquito genetic material. The ETAS platform utilizes capillary alginate hydrogel (Capgel) biomaterials, a class of hydrogels with parallel capillaries capable of being loaded with various liquid substrates. These Capgels serve as a medium for mosquitoes to probe and expectorate saliva, potentially containing viral particles and mosquito-derived nucleic acids. To simulate a blood-feeding scenario, Capgel constructs were warmed and loaded with artificial meals, with the expectation that material deposited by mosquitoes could later be isolated and analyzed using molecular techniques such as RT-qPCR. The feasibility of prototype ETAS platforms was evaluated using laboratory colonies of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Both species exhibited crowding and probing behaviors, demonstrating receptivity to the platform. Additional assays were conducted to develop methods for isolating and detecting genetic material, specifically salivary miRNAs and viral RNA targets. These targets were successfully detected, underscoring the potential of Capgel-based platforms as a promising new tool for arbovirus surveillance.