Developing a new strategy of trypanosome transmission blocking by enhancing trapping of trypanosome-infected tsetse flies

Insect vector infection rate in the field is very low. Despite such low infection rate, vectors still manage to maintain significant infection rates in cattle.  The low infection rates among vectors, but the high infection rates in cattle suggest that there is an efficient mechanism supporting the transmission of the pathogen. Here we aim to investigate trypanosome-induced semiochemicals in domestic animals and fly olfactory receptors specific for these semiochemicals. We want to exploit these semiochemicals to 1. Develop novel attractants/repellents selective for trypanosome-infected flies and 2. Design an odour-based trypanosome diagnostic tool.