Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
Skin bacterial volatiles: propelling the future of vector control
Dani Lucas-Barbosa1, Matthew DeGennaro2, Alexander Mathis1
1Institute of Parasitology, National Centre for Vector Entomology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The skin microbiota plays an essential role in the protection against pathogens. It is our skin microbiota that makes us smell different from each other, rendering us more or less attractive to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes exploit skin bacterial odours to locate their hosts and are vectors of pathogens that can cause severe diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. A novel solution for long-lasting protection against insect vectors of disease could be attained by manipulating the bacterial commensals on human skin. The current options for protection against biting insects usually require topical application of repellents that evaporate within hours. We discuss possible routes for the use of commensal bacteria to create a microbial-based repellent.
Related Concept Videos
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth

