MISSION
Harnessing the power of synthetic biology and genetics to combat vector-borne diseases, protect global food security, and inspire innovative solutions for a healthier, more sustainable world.
INSPIRATION
We are driven by the belief that science can transform lives. Our inspiration comes from the urgent need to protect communities from deadly vector-borne diseases and to safeguard global food supplies against destructive agricultural pests. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology, bioinformatics, computational modeling, and genome engineering, we aim to transform bold ideas into tangible solutions that improve health, promote sustainability, and inspire the next generation of innovators. We envision a world where children grow up free from the threat of mosquito-borne illness, where farmers can protect their crops without harming ecosystems, and where cutting-edge biology empowers humanity to face global challenges with creativity, responsibility, and hope.
VISION / FOCUS
We are pioneering innovations at the intersection of synthetic biology and genetics to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges in public health and food security. Our multidisciplinary work bridges molecular innovation with ecological application, developing transformative genetic tools to control disease vectors, safeguard agriculture, and expand the boundaries of applied genome engineering.
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🦟 Vector-borne Disease Control
We design next-generation, species-specific molecular genetic systems to combat mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors that transmit deadly pathogens such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, malaria, and West Nile virus.
Our pioneering toolkit includes:
CRISPR-based homing gene drives (HGD), Home and Rescue (HomeR), Maternal Effect Dominant Embryonic Arrest (MEDEA), Under-dominance Maternal effect Lethal (UdMel), Engineered Reciprocal Translocations, Precision-Guided Sterile Insect Technique (pgSIT), Temperature-Inducible pgSIT (TI-pgSIT), Synthetic Postzygotic Barriers Exploiting CRISPR-based Incompatibilities for Engineering Species (SPECIES), vRNA Expression Activates Poisonous Effector Ribonuclease (REAPER), Sexing Element Produced by Alternative RNA-Splicing of a Transgenic Observable Reporter (SEPARATOR), and Inherited Female Elimination by Genetically Encoded Nucleases to Interrupt Alleles (Ifegenia).
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🌱 Sustainable Agriculture
We engineer advanced genetic systems to control devastating agricultural pests—such as Asian citrus psyllids, Spotted Wing Drosophila, and Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies—to strengthen global crop protection, sustainability, and food security.
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🧬 Synthetic Biology Innovations
Our team pioneers novel genetic sexing technologies including Sex Conversion Induced by CRISPR (SCIC) and Sex-Linked CRISPR Selection (SELECT). We also develop RNA-targeting and CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms such as the Sensitive Enzymatic Nucleic Acid Sequence Reporter (SENSR) and antiviral mechanisms that expand the capabilities of applied genome engineering.
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🦠 Host–Pathogen Interactions
We are engineering new biological systems that bridge synthetic biology with public health—creating, for example, Zika- or dengue-neutralizing mosquitoes, and developing engineered human skin microbiota capable of repelling mosquitoes. These efforts translate genetic innovation into real-world, life-saving applications.
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Our research consistently delivers first-of-its-kind technologies in emerging model systems, redefining what is possible in applied genetics. By integrating molecular design with ecological impact, we are shaping the future of vector control, disease prevention, and sustainable agriculture—advancing discoveries that protect human health and secure the world’s food supply.
********************************************************************
🦟 Vector-borne Disease Control
We design next-generation, species-specific molecular genetic systems to combat mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors that transmit deadly pathogens such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, malaria, and West Nile virus.
Our pioneering toolkit includes:
CRISPR-based homing gene drives (HGD), Home and Rescue (HomeR), Maternal Effect Dominant Embryonic Arrest (MEDEA), Under-dominance Maternal effect Lethal (UdMel), Engineered Reciprocal Translocations, Precision-Guided Sterile Insect Technique (pgSIT), Temperature-Inducible pgSIT (TI-pgSIT), Synthetic Postzygotic Barriers Exploiting CRISPR-based Incompatibilities for Engineering Species (SPECIES), vRNA Expression Activates Poisonous Effector Ribonuclease (REAPER), Sexing Element Produced by Alternative RNA-Splicing of a Transgenic Observable Reporter (SEPARATOR), and Inherited Female Elimination by Genetically Encoded Nucleases to Interrupt Alleles (Ifegenia).
********************************************************************
🌱 Sustainable Agriculture
We engineer advanced genetic systems to control devastating agricultural pests—such as Asian citrus psyllids, Spotted Wing Drosophila, and Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies—to strengthen global crop protection, sustainability, and food security.
********************************************************************
🧬 Synthetic Biology Innovations
Our team pioneers novel genetic sexing technologies including Sex Conversion Induced by CRISPR (SCIC) and Sex-Linked CRISPR Selection (SELECT). We also develop RNA-targeting and CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms such as the Sensitive Enzymatic Nucleic Acid Sequence Reporter (SENSR) and antiviral mechanisms that expand the capabilities of applied genome engineering.
********************************************************************
🦠 Host–Pathogen Interactions
We are engineering new biological systems that bridge synthetic biology with public health—creating, for example, Zika- or dengue-neutralizing mosquitoes, and developing engineered human skin microbiota capable of repelling mosquitoes. These efforts translate genetic innovation into real-world, life-saving applications.
********************************************************************
Our research consistently delivers first-of-its-kind technologies in emerging model systems, redefining what is possible in applied genetics. By integrating molecular design with ecological impact, we are shaping the future of vector control, disease prevention, and sustainable agriculture—advancing discoveries that protect human health and secure the world’s food supply.
