Transcriptome sequencing of Aedes aegypti upon receiving a microbiome transplant

The mosquito microbiome plays an important role in many aspects of host biology, including vector competence. The composition of the microbiome varies by host species, geography and across individuals, although there are number of genera commonly present. Here we performed microbiome transplants using microbiome donors belonging to different mosquito species, collected from the laboratory or field, transplanted into axenic laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti. We then performed RNA-Seq on the guts of the recipients to determine how Ae. aegypti respond to receiving different microbiomes. We also asked whether there was an effect on gene expression of performing the transplant.