Triatominae - The Biology of Chagas Disease Vectors

Alessandra Guarneri, PhD, is a biologist and specialist in Medical Entomology. Her research team is devoted to the study of the behavior and physiology of the interaction between triatomine bugs and their natural parasites. Her work includes studies about parasite development and virulence, behavioral alterations in infected insects, as well the role of temperature on the parasite-insect interaction. She coordinates the Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Marcelo G Lorenzo, PhD, is a biologist devoted to the study of insect physiology with an emphasis on behavioral physiology. He is a senior researcher at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where his gropu investigates the following topics: behavior, pheromones, kairomones, electrophysiology, functional genomics of sensory processes, triatomines, culicids, development of baits and traps for vector control. His work takes advantage of techniques from neurobiology, analytical chemistry, molecular biology and behavior.

1.Origin and evolution of Triatominae.- 2. Taxonomy.- 3. Speciation Processes in Triatominae.- 4. Chromosome structure and evolution of Triatominae: A review.- 5. Embryonic development of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus.- 6. Anatomy of the nervous system of triatomines.- 7. Biogenic monoamines in the control of triatomine physiology with emphasis on Rhodnius prolixus.- 8. Structure and physiology of the neuropeptidergic system of triatomines.- 9. Sensory biology of triatomines.- 10. The behaviour of kissing-bugs.- 11. Features of interaction between triatomines and vertebrates based on bug feeding parameters.- 12. Blood Digestion in Triatomine Insects.- 13. The physiology of sperm transfer and egg production in vectors of Chagas disease with particular reference to Rhodnius prolixus.- 14. The Immune System of Triatomines.- 15. Interaction of triatomines with their bacterial microbiota and trypanosomes.- 16. The ecology and natural history of wild Triatominae in the Americas.- 17. Eco-epidemiology of vector-borne transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in domestic habitats.- 18. Chagas Disease Vector Control.- 19. Insecticide resistance in triatomines.- 20. Perspectives in triatomine biology studies: "Omics"- based approaches.