Philippine E-Journals

Molecular Genetic Approaches to the Assessment of Dam Impact on Stream Macroinvertebrates and Dengue Virus Surveillance of Vector Mosquitoes

Kozo Watanabe

 

Abstract:

Molecular genetic techniques are used in wider study areas including evolutionary ecology, biodiversity conservation, and epidemiological surveillance. The recent advancement and use of molecular genetic technologies including next-generation sequencing (NGS) are accelerating this trend. In my lecture, I will introduce recent research projects in my lab related to the areas of freshwater biodiversity (stream macroinvertebrates) and eco-epidemiology (Dengue vector mosquitoes). The topics will cover 1) Ecological Assessment of the influence of sediment bypass tunnels on macroinvertebrates in dam-fragmented rivers using NGS-based DNA metabarcoding, and 2) Dengue Virus Surveillance of Dengue vector mosquitoes Aedes aegypti for the inferences of spatial viral transmission in Tarlac City, Philippines using real-time RT- PCR. I would like to also provide general information about my research group, Molecular Ecology and Health (MEcoH) Laboratory in Ehime University, Japan, and an available Ph.D. position in MEcoH for a student from Southeast Asian countries. Plenary Session—Oral