About
Dr. Mazhar Hussain is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland. His research focuses on the molecular interactions between mosquitoes, viruses, and bacterial symbionts, particularly examining how microRNAs regulate these complex relationships.
Dr. Hussain completed his PhD at The University of Queensland in 2010 with a thesis titled "ASCOVIRUS INFECTION: Role of microRNAs and viral encoded genes in gene silencing and pathogenesis." His academic journey has centered on understanding molecular mechanisms in insect-virus interactions, with a particular emphasis on mosquito vectors of human diseases.
Dr. Hussain's research primarily investigates the intricate relationships between Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, Dengue virus, and the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia. His work explores how microRNAs regulate viral replication, mosquito immunity, and vector competence. He has made significant contributions to understanding how Wolbachia blocks viral replication in mosquitoes, which has important implications for controlling arboviral diseases. His research spans molecular biology, virology, and entomology, with a focus on identifying key molecular players that determine vector competence and potential targets for disease control strategies.
Dr. Hussain's publication record shows a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with numerous publications in prestigious journals including PNAS, mBio, and Journal of Virology. His recent work (2023-2025) continues to advance our understanding of mosquito-virus-symbiont interactions, particularly focusing on RNA-based regulatory mechanisms.
- ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2012-2015): "Investigating the interaction of microRNAs-Wolbachia-Dengue virus in the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti"
Dr. Hussain serves as an Associate Advisor for PhD students, currently supervising research on "Role of Juvenile Hormone and microRNA on the Regulation of Aedes aegypti Fecundity and Dengue Virus Replication" and previously supervised a 2017 PhD project on "Exploring the molecular mechanism(s) involved in Wolbachia-Aedes aegypti-dengue virus interactions." His laboratory work primarily focuses on molecular techniques to study gene expression, protein interactions, and viral replication in mosquito cell lines and whole organisms.
