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Dr. GPCR PodcastAuthor: Dr. Yamina Berchiche
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Why Mosquitoes Hunt You: The GPCR Behind the Bite
Episode 182
Wednesday, 4 March, 2026
Conserved neuropeptide Y GPCRs orchestrate both feeding and mating behaviors in mosquitoes, with direct translational parallels to human gut-brain signaling.Quick SummaryLearn how receptor internalization and neuropeptide GPCR signaling underlie the regulation of mosquito host-seeking and reproduction. Dr. Laura Duvall details the use of CRISPR-based assay development and fluorescence-driven phenotyping to connect molecular manipulation to whole-animal behavior. Her approach provides actionable insights for gpcr drug discovery and tools to dissect homologous pathways across model systems, with implications for pharmacology research targeting vector-borne disease transmission.Key TakeawaysNeuropeptide Y GPCRs modulate both host attraction and mating in Aedes aegypti.CRISPR and fluorescence assays enable precise behavioral phenotyping in vivo.GPCR-targeted compounds designed for humans can modulate mosquito receptors.NPY receptor expression in mosquito gut mirrors mammalian gut-brain signaling axes.Automated behavioral assays combined with machine learning sharpen data resolution and reduce human bias.Dr. GPCR Links & ResourcesExplore essential resources:Dr. GPCR EcosystemMembership & PricingWeekly NewsAdvance your research—discover the power of Dr. GPCR Premium.About the GuestDr. Laura Duvall earned her B.A. in Biochemistry and Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a PhD at Washington University in St. Louis, where she explored neuropeptide regulation of circadian behavior in Drosophila. Transitioning from fruit flies to mosquitoes, she pursued postdoctoral research at Rockefeller University with Leslie Vosshall, focusing on the molecular regulation of feeding and mating behaviors in Aedes aegypti. In 2019, she established her independent laboratory at Columbia University's Department of Biological Sciences and the Zuckerman Institute. Dr. Duvall’s work is recognized by awards including the Beckman Young Investigator Award, Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship in Neuroscience, and the Pew Scholars Program, reflecting her drive to unravel the complex signaling mechanisms that govern mosquito and broader animal behavior.Guest on The WebLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-duvall-28a03485/Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Vk3KGSoAAAAJ&hl=enLab: https://www.duvalllab.com/
