Maxime PRAT joins the unit to study Zika virus transmission

We are pleased to welcome a new postdoctoral researcher to the unit as part of the CAZIKANO project.

Maxime PRAT is conducting research to better understand the interactions between African strains of the Zika virus and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from the islands of the southwestern Indian Ocean.

Under the supervision of Dr. Célestine ATYAME, Maxime will be responsible for :
- analyzing the vector competence of tiger mosquitoes,
- evaluating the role of the NS1 protein in vector competence, and
- testing the effect of Zika virus strains on mosquito fitness.