Wolbachia pipientis strain:wAlbB-Q Genome sequencing. Wolbachia pipientis strain:wAlbB-Q

Intentional releases of mosquitoes infected with the intracellular bacteria Wolbachia pipientis are used to control mosquito populations and the transmission of arboviruses such as dengue and Zika. Understanding the effects of different Wolbachia strains upon host phenotype is important for ensuring the effectiveness of these control programs. In this project, we sequenced the genome of an Aedes aegypti Wolbachia transinfection that had been established 15 years prior by transferring the Wolbachia strain wAlbB from its native host, Aedes albopictus, to Ae. aegypti. We then used backcrossing to assess the effects of the Wolbachia strain on host-fitness, and its maternal transmission and stability, in two different Ae. aegypti nuclear backgrounds, originating from Australia and Malaysia.