[VB Membership Roster] [VB Meeting Rosters]

The Vector Biology [VB] Study Section reviews applications on all aspects of arthropod and molluscan intermediate hosts of parasitic (e.g., nematode, helminth, or protozoa), viral, and bacterial pathogens, including model systems, where the intent is to yield information relevant to human diseases. Specific areas covered by VB:

• Basic biology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, and ecology with relevance to vector-borne human pathogens
• Genetics and population genetics of vectors
• Genomics, including comparative and functional genomics, and proteomics
• Improvements of genetic and immunological technologies and their application in areas such as reducing vector capacity (including transgenic, selected gene silencing and knockout) and blocking parasite transmission
• Host immune responses to vectors, including pharmacological aspects of arthropod salivary and other secretory products
• Vector/pathogen/host interactions
  • Vector competence, including biochemical and genetic processes in pathogen/vector interactions
  • Pathogen impact on host fitness
  • Laboratory-based pathogen development and transmission
  • Vector immune responses to pathogens and surrogate vector systems
  • Molecular basis of transmission interference including identification of molecular and cellular targets
• Development, laboratory evaluation, and field-based testing of approaches to control vectors and disease transmission
• Arthropod symbionts and their use in introducing genes that encode anti-microbial products
• Development of methods for maintaining arthropods in the laboratory

Study sections with most closely related areas of similar science listed in rank order are:

Pathogenic Eukaryotes [PTHE] 
Clinical Research and Field Studies of Infectious Diseases [CRFS] 
Infectious Diseases, Reproductive Health, Asthma and Pulmonary Conditions [IRAP]