\u201cWe hope to find out how the virus gets into the brain, the mechanism by which it enters the cells, and then what kinds of therapies can be effective in eradicating it,\u201d said project lead\u00a0Nazira El-Hage<\/a>, a professor in the department of immunology. Also,\u00a0the Biomolecular Sciences Institute<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0College of Arts, Sciences & Education<\/a>\u00a0received nearly $200,000 from the Florida Department of Health to expand research on mosquito genetics and $1.2 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of a new multi-university center<\/a> dedicated to stopping the spread of Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses.<\/p>\n Biologist\u00a0Matthew DeGennaro<\/a>, who leads these projects, studies how\u00a0Aedes aegypti<\/em>, the principle vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, find their human and plant hosts in the hopes of identifying molecular targets in mosquitoes for better repellant design. His research team is developing new bait that could lure female mosquitoes to lay eggs in a trap that then kills all the eggs, helping to reduce mosquito populations. DeGennaro and FIU biologist\u00a0Fernando Noriega<\/a>\u00a0are also developing a workshop to train future mosquito biologists and mosquito control specialists.<\/p>\n \u201cThe collaboration and statewide approach to fighting Zika in Florida is the best sign of hope that we can beat this,\u201d DeGennaro said. \u201cThe academic world is trying to respond to this crisis, and by working together along with mosquito control and others, we can find effective solutions that will stop these cycles of disease.\u201d<\/p>\n The Florida Department of Health\u2019s Zika Research Grant Initiative is focused on vaccine development, diagnostic testing, therapeutics, and health effects of Zika. The CDC grant is part of nearly $184 million in funding to support efforts to protect Americans from Zika and associated adverse health outcomes.<\/p>\n \u201cMany FIU researchers are working on Zika-related projects that have the potential to help the South Florida and global communities,\u201d said FIU Vice President for\u00a0Research and Economic Development<\/a>\u00a0Andres Gil. \u201cWe have significant expertise in this area and are well positioned to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n South Florida has been called ground zero in the Zika fight. While the last Zika zone in Miami was lifted in December, scientists are quick to point out that vector-borne diseases \u2014 those transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies and other arthropods \u2014\u00a0are\u00a0 always a threat, especially in South Florida\u2019s warm and humid climate.<\/p>\n
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The team, which includes Distinguished Professor\u00a0Madhavan Nair,<\/a>\u00a0will look at using Nair\u2019s patented nano-technology to deliver an experimental drug, Beclin1, through the nearly impermeable blood brain barrier and into the brain to try to kill the virus.<\/p>\n