Guided by this principle, the Kaur lab embraces both curiosity and critical inquiry to uncover the fundamental mechanisms shaping host–microbe relationships. Our current central focus is the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which is at the forefront of vector control strategies to reduce mosquito-borne viral diseases. Using Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) and Aedes aegypti (mosquito) model systems, our research integrates molecular genetics, epigenetics, cell and developmental biology, biochemistry, microscopy, and chromatin profiling tools to dissect how symbionts shape host biology, behaviour, fertility, and drive evolutionary innovation in pathogen resistance.
By identifying host molecular checkpoints that determine the stability, penetrance, and persistence of symbiotic effects, our goal is to pioneer innovative, epigenetically-informed strategies to engineer and/or reproduce symbiotic traits and provide evidence-based refinement of symbiont-driven vector control strategies and fertility management. Ultimately, we aim to build a foundation for translational applications that strengthen efforts towards improving global public health.
By identifying host molecular checkpoints that determine the stability, penetrance, and persistence of symbiotic effects, our goal is to pioneer innovative, epigenetically-informed strategies to engineer and/or reproduce symbiotic traits and provide evidence-based refinement of symbiont-driven vector control strategies and fertility management. Ultimately, we aim to build a foundation for translational applications that strengthen efforts towards improving global public health.