Rutgers students Kathryn Wulf, Jun Zhang, Gabriel Palmieri inspecting a mosquito trap 

Dr. Jennifer Sun, Assistant Professor in the Rutgers University Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology (SEBS), leads a research group interested in the myriad relationships present between insects and microorganisms in nature. In particular, they look at the effects microorganisms have on insect behavior. A core facet of insect-microbe interactions is the insect microbiome, the collection of microbes that live on and inside of the bodies of bugs. Sun’s lab is trapping mosquitoes in the Rutgers Ecological Preserve to study the microbiome of mosquito sensory organs, such as the antennae and mouthparts. Through this work, they aim to gain insights into the effects that microbes exert on insect behavior via direct interaction with the chemosensory system. By shedding light on how microbial activity modulates host responses to tastes, smells, and other sensory cues, they hope to exploit said modulations to create more nuanced methods of pest control. By comparing the sensory microbiomes of mosquitoes in a variety of geographical and ecological contexts, Sun’s team can make these methods even more robust by elucidating how these microbiomes are acquired in (and affected by) their environment.

If you are interested in their work, feel free to contact Jennifer Sun (jennsun.rutgers.edu) for more information.