Sassan Asgari

Insect host-pathogen interactions In the evolutionary arm race between insects and their pathogens, insects as hosts continuously evolve traits to inhibit pathogen replication, and in turn pathogens evolve mechanisms to evade their hosts' immune responses. In the Asgari Lab, we are interested in exploring these evolutionary adaptations, in particular in regards to mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue virus. The major areas of research in the lab are: 1. Exploring pro- and anti-viral factors in mosquitoes using molecular approaches, including next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses 2. Investigating the role of non-coding RNAs (including microRNAs) in insect biology and host-pathogen interactions 3. Understanding the effect of insect microbiome on replication of viruses Insect host-pathogen interactions; Exploring pro- and anti-viral factors in mosquitoes using molecular approaches, including next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses; Investigating the role of non-coding RNAs (including microRNAs) in insect biology and host-pathogen interactions; Understanding the effect of insect microbiome on replication of viruses

[2026] RNA activation in insects: From emerging evidence to molecular applications. Insect Molecular Biology imb.70058. doi: 10.1111/imb.70058 [2026] microRNAs at the vector-virus interface: molecular mediators in mosquito-pathogen dynamics. Advances in Insect Physiology. doi: 10.1016/bs.aiip.2026.04.001 [2026] Modulation of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells following AcMNPV infection, and its effects on the virus‐cell interaction. Insect Molecular Biology, 35 (1) imb.70006, 14-22. doi: 10.1111/imb.70006 [2025] Transcriptomic response of mosquitoes to Japanese encephalitis virus and identification of its potential entry factors. npj Viruses, 3 (1) 68, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s44298-025-00151-8 [2025] Wolbachia elevates host methyltransferase expression and alte