Alain Kohl

Alain Kohl is an Affiliate Professor in the School of Infection & Immunity at the University of Glasgow, where he works at the Centre for Virus Research. His research focuses on arboviruses transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, midges, and ticks, with particular emphasis on Dengue virus, Zika virus, chikungunya virus, and Rift Valley fever virus. He leads a research group with access to state-of-the-art facilities including high-containment insectaries.

Professor Kohl's research interests center on understanding arbovirus replication and dissemination in arthropod vectors, host immune responses to viral infection, and viral interference with these responses. His work spans multiple dimensions of vector-virus interactions, examining how RNA interference, immune signaling pathways, and endosymbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia affect viral transmission. His group has developed extensive virus and reporter systems to study both model and pathogenic arboviruses.

Analysis of Professor Kohl's recent publications reveals a strong focus on molecular mechanisms of virus-vector interactions, particularly the RNA interference pathway in mosquitoes, viral determinants of transmission between hosts, and development of diagnostic and potential intervention strategies. His work bridges fundamental virology with applied public health concerns related to emerging arboviral diseases.

Professor Kohl's laboratory investigates mosquito immune responses to arbovirus infection, with particular attention to how these responses control viral replication and transmission. His team is establishing genetic modification programs in live mosquitoes and studying the effects of Wolbachia bacteria on arbovirus transmission. The Centre for Virus Research provides an ideal environment for this modern virology work, with access to specialized containment facilities necessary for working with arthropod vectors and pathogenic viruses.