US-UK EEID RCN: Vector Behavior in Transmission Ecology Research Coordination Network

Many important animal and plant diseases are transmitted by vectors. In many cases, this vector is an insect that transmits the disease causing agent when it feeds. Transmission dynamics of these vector-borne diseases are very complex and difficult to predict. One area that has not been well studied is the effect of vector behaviour on transmission cycles. Specifically, we understand very little about how behaviour varies across vector life span, between individuals in a population, and in response to environmental variation. A better understanding of vector behaviour and how it effects disease transmission would improve our understanding of vector-borne disease dynamics, lead to more targeted models, and eventually to better informed disease control and policies.

The Vector Behavior in Transmission Ecology Research Coordination Network (VectorBiTE RCN) will facilitate investigation into the role of vector behaviour and life history in disease transmission dynamics. This US-UK collaborative network aims to accomplish this goal by promoting (1) the development of theoretical models that include more details of vector behaviour and heterogeneity; (2) improved data collection and statistical methods to enable such models to be confronted with data; (3) development of comprehensive and freely available validation datasets to allow testing of methods and comparison between proposed models in a transparent fashion; and (4) training of young researchers in these new tools and methods as they are developed. These objectives will be accomplished through: (A) annual meetings and workshops to bring together empirical and theoretical biologists across diverse systems and institutions; (B) the development of an online platform which will include repositories for data on vector behaviour and code for modelling the role of behaviour on transmission dynamics; and (C) providing opportunities to educate fellow researchers and the public about network advances via online and conference presentations.

Many medically and economically important pathogens are spread by insect vectors. Vector-borne disease transmission is remarkably complex because interactions between pathogens, vectors, hosts, and their physical environment dictate dynamics. The biology of disease vectors has historically been studied in the context of control, leaving many aspects of the basic biology, especially behavior and life history, of these animals relatively ignored. Over the last several decades there has been a resurgence of interest in the biology of vectors, including how their behavior influences disease transmission dynamics. The emerging data have begun to provide new insights and have highlighted the potential importance of variation of vector behaviors and life history traits (1) across individual lifespan, (2) among individuals within populations, and (3) in response to environmental variation transmission dynamics.

The Vector Behavior in Transmission Ecology Research Coordination Network (VectorBiTE RCN) will facilitate investigation into the role of vector behaviour and life history in disease transmission dynamics. This US-UK collaborative network aims to accomplish this goal by promoting (1) the development of theoretical models that include more details of vector behaviour and heterogeneity; (2) improved data collection and statistical methods to enable such models to be confronted with data; (3) development of comprehensive and freely available validation datasets to allow testing of methods and comparison between proposed models in a transparent fashion; and (4) training of young researchers in these new tools and methods as they are developed.

Researchers in the field of disease ecology: The RCN will result in an open access online database containing standardized data on vector behaviour and life history, along with code for modelling the impact of these on transmission. These resources together with other information will be made freely available to the disease ecology community. Ideally, these resources will be used to assess potential control strategies and lead to a better understanding of vector borne disease dynamics.

Early Career Scientists: Training early career scientists is a key component of this RCN. This includes workshops in years 3 and 4 targeted at early career investigators. These trainees will include early career scientists from underrepresented groups and regions.

Interested Public: Educational materials, including videos of presentations on vector borne diseases and training materials developed for the workshops, will shared on an open access website that will be built as part of this RCN.

This project has potential to contribute to the health and wealth of the nation by providing training in quantitative modelling to new researchers, creating new methods for assessing the risk and potential control of vector borne disease, and create new collaborations between the UK and USA researchers.