Vector biology is my main interest, particularly the interactions between arthropod vectors and microbes. My project is on harnessing symbiotic bacteria of aphids as a tool for controlling plant viruses. Aphid-transmitted plant viruses cause extensive damage to a wide variety of crops globally, resulting in massive economic losses and a serious threat to food security. Interestingly, the presence of symbionts such as Regiella insecticola can reduce transmission of crop viruses such as Barley yellow dwarf virus. I am investigating the molecular basis of this phenomenon and whether there are virus-blocking factors that can be introduced into other aphid-symbiont-virus systems.