The Dimopoulos Group has made discoveries that are relevant for the development of innovative technologies for vector-borne disease control. We have discovered environmental microbes that can be developed into environment-friendly biopesticides. We have studied microbes and mosquito genes that can be developed into novel malaria and arbovirus transmission-blocking technologies that target the pathogens in the mosquito vectors. The Dimopoulos Group has also discovered microbe-produced secondary metabolites that can be developed into therapeutic agents for malaria, arboviral, bacterial and fungal infections. Please contact George Dimopoulos for joint venture and licensing opportunities.

Biopesticides: We have developed a non-live bacteria-based insecticidal preparation that can kill both larval and adult stages of all major mosquito disease vectors. Shelf-life and residual activity are highly suitable for biopesticide development. The preparation is also active against other disease vector insects and agricultural pests.

Transmission Blocking Technologies: We have discovered and characterized bacteria and bacteria-produced metabolites that exert direct inhibition of the malaria parasite Plasmodium and arboviruses in their respective mosquito vectors, and can thereby be developed into natural product-based transmission-blocking agents. We have characterized several mosquito-encoded pathogen host factors that represent powerful transmission-blocking targets.

Therapeutic Agents:

Anti-malaria: We have discovered and characterized a bacterium-produced metabolite that exert direct anti-Plasmodium activity against multiple stages of the parasite including the blood- and gametocyte stage.

Anti-dengue: We have discovered and characterized a bacterium-produced protease that exert direct anti-dengue activity.

Anti-bacterial: We have discovered and characterized a bacterium that produces antibiotic metabolites with broad-ranging activities, including inhibition of human pathogenic bacteria.

Research, Product Development & Commercialization: Please contact George Dimopoulos for research collaboration, material transfer, joint venture and licensing opportunities.