Functional characterization of dipteran olfactory receptors

The order Diptera contains a diverse group of flies implicated as biological or mechanical vectors of diseases that harm public health. Olfactory receptor mechanisms have been extensively studied in the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and a small number of mosquito species. While these studies have improved our understanding of fly chemical detection, few comparative studies have been conducted in other Dipterans. In the current project, we are deorphanizing conserved odorant receptors Aedes aegypti. One of our primary objectives is to define the relationships between the ligands that activate conserved olfactory receptors and their potential roles in species that occupy diverse ecological habitats. Another objective will be to elucidate OR evolutionary relationships across species to identify highly specialized receptors. These studies will provide new insights into the molecular foundations of chemical ecology in Dipterans of medical and veterinary importance, thereby enhancing efforts aimed at their selective control.