Rhodnius smallRNA pathways

Rhodnius prolixus is a triatomine insect and a primary vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, in Central and South America. Despite the medical relevance, very little is known about the diversity and function of small RNAs in this species. This project aims to understand the role of vsiRNAs related to different viruses infecting Rhodnius prolixus and also the biogenesis and function of the piRNA pathway in defending the genome against resident and newly acquired transposable elements from vertebrates.