Bridging the gaps in vector biology

Abstract

![][1] This EMBO Workshop on the Molecular and Population Biology of Mosquitoes and other Disease Vectors took place between 22 and 30 July 2005 in Kolymbari, Crete, Greece. The workshop was organized by C. Louis (Chair), B. Beaty, N. Besansky, P. Brey, M. Coetzee, F. Collins, D. Fontenille, J. Hemingway, J. Hoffmann, A.A. James, F.C. Kafatos, J. Law, J. Ribeiro, M. Rodriguez, T. Scott, D. Severson, R. Sinden, A. della Torre and Y. Toure. The photo is of the sunset on the Monastery of Gonia, viewed from the Orthodox Academy of Crete where the Workshop took place (photo courtesy of C. Louis). More than 100 scientists gathered in the peaceful setting of the Greek Orthodox Academy in Crete to share the latest research on the arthropod vectors of human diseases (abstracts available at http://skonops.imbb.forth.gr/AnoBase/Conferences/home_page.html). The meeting participants were a mixture of basic scientists addressing fundamental biological questions and applied researchers whose intent is to reduce the frightful toll of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and filariasis by targeting the vectors. This emphasis on vectors is justified by the success of control programmes that have used insecticides, environmental management and personal protection such as repellents and nets. New insights and technologies are needed to counteract the erosion of the efficacy of these approaches—for example, the emergence of insecticide resistance—and to address regions of the world where these approaches have either not been applied or have failed. This series of workshops promotes interactions among scientists to bridge the gaps between the laboratory development of anti‐vector tools and the knowledge of field properties of mosquitoes, and to stimulate links between scientists in the developed world with disease endemic country (DEC) scientists who would be responsible for implementing new technologies. The research and applications that were discussed have a strong base in advanced technology … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif