Metatranscriptome of teneral tsetse flies of varying vector competence

Comparison the metatranscriptome of teneral Glossina morsitans (high vector competence) to that of Glossina brevipalpis (low vector competence). The goals are characterizing how transcriptomes of Wigglesworthia and Sodalis reflect differences in the extent of co-evolution with tsetse and identifying molecular components and pathways of symbionts and tsetse that may contribute towards distinctions in vector competence between tsetse host species. These results are of high epidemiological significance with translational relevance towards the design of novel vector control strategies, such as disrupting pivotal microbiota roles that may contribute towards vector competence.