The host associations of mosquitoes vary by species, with some species being relative generalists, whereas others specialize, to varying extents, on a particular subset of the available host community. These host associations are driving factors in transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens. For this reason, characterizing the host associations of mosquito species is critical for understanding the epidemiology of mosquito-vectored pathogens. Diverse methods have been used to associate mosquito species with their hosts. These typically include collecting mosquitoes that bite a restrained host (bait) or collecting wild blood-engorged mosquitoes and matching their blood meal to reference samples (blood meal analysis). Blood meal analysis refers to a collection of molecular techniques for determining the taxonomic identity of the source of a mosquito blood meal using cytological, serological, or DNA-based characteristics of the blood meal. Blood meal analyses that are based on DNA markers have advantages over cytological and serological methods and are effective for determining species-level identities of hosts from a broad range of potential host taxa. Here, we discuss effective techniques for analyzing blood meals.

Transposon-mediated transgenesis of mosquito vectors of disease pathogens followed the early success of transgenesis in the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The P transposable element used in Drosophila does not function canonically in mosquitoes, and repeatable, routine transgenesis in mosquitoes was not accomplished until new transposable elements were discovered and validated. A number of distinct transposons were subsequently identified that mediate the introduction of exogenous DNA in a stable and heritable manner in mosquito species, including members of the genera Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex. The most versatile element, piggyBac, is functional in all of these mosquito genera, as well as in many other insects in diverse orders, and has been used extensively outside the class. Transposon-mediated transgenesis of recessive and dominant marker genes and reporter systems has been used to define functional fragments of gene control sequences, introduce exogenous DNA encoding products beneficial to medical interests, and act as "enhancer traps" to identify endogenous genes with specific expression characteristics.

Anautogenous female mosquitoes, which ingest a blood meal from warm-blooded vertebrates to produce eggs, have become a valuable model organism for investigating signaling pathways and physiological processes that occur during egg development. Different molecular pathways tightly regulate the initiation of egg development and are governed by a balance among different insect hormones. Gravid (mature egg-carrying) females deposit fully developed eggs at the end of each gonotrophic cycle, which is defined as the time interval between the ingestion of a blood meal to oviposition. An intact eggshell protects the oocyte and embryo inside from external factors such as desiccation, physical damage, etc., and the various eggshell proteins are spatially and temporary deposited during oogenesis. Additionally, follicle resorption (oosorption) during blood meal–induced mosquito ovarian follicle development is an adapted physiological process that optimizes reproductive fitness. Mosquito oocytes grow and mature synchronously throughout oogenesis; however, during the later stages of oogenesis, some oocytes may undergo oosorption if sufficient nutrients are unavailable. This introduction highlights how mosquito egg development can be used to investigate follicular resorption and identify proteins involved in eggshell formation in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Volker (OM Montenegro) describes how their outdoor lessons for Roma kids were threatened by bad weather. Then God provided not only the solution - building a carport as a shelter - but also the funds and manpower needed to build it.

Anna (Germany) and Christina (Canada) are the youngest members of OM Montenegro. They describe how God called them into missions, and led them unexpectedly to Montenegro, a Balkan country neither had heard much about before. Here God is changing them as they prepare for further service...

Local people notice the unity in Christ of OM Montenegro as the team work and relax together.

When OM Montenegro began in 2007 with a team of three, holding a full Sunday meeting seemed a long way off—but not anymore.

At 33, Igor, from Serbia, was sick, jobless and homeless. But one winter night he met Jesus. Now he serves God with OM in Montenegro.

OM Montenegro holds a programme for local friends to learn and talk about God.

OM Montenegro has discovered that if they are faithful and patient, they can eventually walk through doors that had once seemed closed.

The OM team in Bar, Montenegro, do a creative programme in over 15 kindergartens, explaining to children how important it is to regularly brush their teeth.

OM’s team in Bar, Montenegro, has been praying to expand the outreach work in the country. Their prayers have finally been answered.

When the British public responded to OM’s Just Christmas appeal, OM Montenegro received funds to help families, just at the right time.

She only came for a week, but impacted lives of several families with children with autism. Isabel Black shares about her experiences in Montenegro.

The OM team in Bar, Montenegro, received an enthusiastic response when they showed the JESUS film in the Roma language for the first time.

Four volunteers from Switzerland. One empty park. Ten days to build a playground. Could it be done?

Social workers in Bar, Montenegro, introduce OM workers to “hidden” people, enabling them to give holistic help, which the social workers alone could not provide.

OM worker Jelena desires to help the broken hearted and see local believers grow. Read what God has done in her life.

With the help of two Scottish special-needs teachers, OM Montenegro passionately improves the lives of children with autism and the lives of their families.

OM Montenegro partners with Serbian singer-songwriter Dejan Milinov to bring worship music to believers in their own language.

A couple in Montenegro, working with children in a tough neighbourhood in Bar, desire to find ways to reach them with Jesus’ love.

A church plant in Montenegro experiences unexpected diversity and growth resulting from the conflict in Ukraine.

An OM couple serving in Bar, Montenegro share how a short-term team building a shelter has had positive and lasting impact on a community they serve through a club for kids.

Mozaik church, pioneered by the OM team in Bar, Montenegro, has recently baptised seven new believers in the Adriatic sea, at the beach.

Can young people be united in faith, irrespective of their ethnic background? The answer is yes!

Ongoing practical friendship wins the trust of a family in Montenegro, opening a door of hope for their future.

Even if things don't go quite to plan, the kids' craft sessions at OM Montenegro's Lighthouse centre result in wonderful presents for families.

OM uses a team car to transport teenagers with autism to Montenegro's only special needs school. But a better car is needed to continue.

After making friends at OM's English Cafe, Igor shares with them how he came from a similar background but was freed from despair when he met Jesus.

Student Amy from the USA used her summer vacation to serve with OM in Montenegro and Serbia, sharing God's love with the young and old.

Pioneering Technology Allows Surgeons to Cut Precisely and Control Bleeding Without Causing Heat Damage to Tissue

Centuries-old university standardizes on SolidWorks Education Edition software so students can learn CAD and design validation skills

Knee replacement doesn’t have to be ‘total’

Quadruped Dinosaur Stomps the Rest of the Competition

Flagship Data Management Solution Introduces‘Item-Centric’ PDM and New BOM Functionality

With 3D CAD, Company Reduces Design Cycle from Three Weeks to Three or Four Days

Quick design turnaround and easy documentation process help UK-based company move products to market faster

Robotics programmers can now use SolidWorks 3D CAD models for more powerful simulations

R&D ‘Sandbox’ Previews Some Potential Capabilities for 3D CAD Software

Switch to SolidWorks 3D CAD and Simulation Software Delivers Productivity Increase over AutoCAD