معرفی
Jason Rasgon is a Professor of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Institute for Energy and the Environment's Health and the Environment research theme. His work focuses on vector arthropods and the pathogens they transmit, particularly the development of genetically modified mosquitoes to control diseases like malaria and Zika. He explores how natural genetic variation in vector populations influences pathogen transmission and how this variation can be artificially altered to suppress disease spread.
Rasgon's research includes studies on Wolbachia's role in blocking viral infections in mosquitoes, the impact of environmental factors like temperature on vector competence, and CRISPR-based gene-editing techniques (e.g., ReMOT Control) for modifying vector species. His recent grants include a USDA-funded program for training in reproductive microbiome research. Notable collaborations involve projects on gene-editing in ticks and the first successful gene-editing of kissing bugs (vectors of Chagas disease).
His publications highlight advancements in understanding Mayaro virus dynamics, superinfection exclusion mechanisms, and the microbiomes of pest species. Rasgon has been recognized for his contributions to disease control strategies and is an active member of the entomology and virology research communities.
