Group | Vector Research and Control

In order to find better ways to protect humans from infectious mosquito bites we study the physiology, behaviour and ecology of mosquitoes. Field surveys inform us about the composition of a present mosquito population and whether there is a risk of disease transmission. The field surveys also show us how effective implemented control measures are.

We also use experimental approaches both in the laboratory and in the field with the aim to better understand how mosquitoes acquire, process and respond to information from their environment.

Moreover, we study how insecticide resistance and other traits depend on environmental and genetic factors. We use a series of technologies including bioassays, molecular tools, infrared video tracking, field trapping methods and biostatistics.

We have extensive experience in testing public health pesticide formulations and offer services to carry out studies to evaluate mosquito repellents and insecticides. Swiss TPH has specialist facilities to rear a range of mosquito colonies and to undertake bioassays according to internationally recognised standards. In collaboration with our African partner institutions we may also offer semi-field and field trials.

For further details on our available services, please, visit  the Arthropod Testing Facility.

The well-known, internationally registered Swiss TPH quality label guarantees high efficacy standards for topical mosquito repellents. We particularly recommend travellers to the tropics to purchase products with our label.

In order to improve the surveillance and control of mosquitoes we develop and evaluate new diagnostic tools that use nucleic acid based approaches as well as matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify cryptic mosquito species, insecticide resistance markers or pathogen identification. We evaluate candidate pesticides and new modes of delivery under lab and field conditions and develop new tests for this purpose.