"Emerging Trends in Vector Biology Research: Merging approaches from basic biology to functional genomics" (Call for Papers in Special Issue of SAJEB)

Vector biology is the study of arthropod vectors and their role in pathogen transmission. This field encompasses entomology, ecology, microbiology, epidemiology, and molecular genomics and merges approaches ranging from landscape ecology to functional genomics. Arthropod vectors transmit many new and reemerging diseases. Mosquitoes transmit malaria, dengue-dengue hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and filariasis; sand flies transmit leishmaniasis; ticks transmit Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis; fleas and lice transmit Bartonella; and fleas, lice, and ticks transmit various rickettsioses. Vector borne diseases causes extensive morbidity and mortality and are a major economic burden within disease endemic countries. The emergence and rapid dissemination of arboviruses and their vectors throughout the world, with potentially devastating consequences, is a reality. In the last decade there have been explosive global epidemics caused by dengue, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, Yellow fever, West Nile, and chikungunya viruses.
Despite remarkable advances in vector biology over the last two decades, vector-borne diseases (VBDs) remain a significant threat to human health worldwide. Control of arthropod vectors is the primary available intervention for some of the most devastating VBDs, particularly those lacking vaccines such as malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. Recent advances in empirical, methodological, and theoretical aspects of vector biology are an impetus for reexamining critical research needs aimed at improving human health. The discipline of vector biology is characterized by its emphasis on disease prevention, and successes are well documented. Unfortunately, victories are too often the exception, or when they do occur, they are difficult to sustain. Although vector control remains an essential component in the battle against vector-borne disease (VBD), persistence of vector-borne pathogens and resilience of their arthropod vectors continue to motivate the search for novel solutions.
We invite authors to contribute original research articles as well as few review articles, specially aiming to understand the immunological, molecular and biochemical aspects of insecticide resistance, vector competence, host-vectors-pathogen interaction, interaction between entomopathogenic fungi and insect vectors. We are looking for some novel insight in this field particularly the biology of invasive vectors, priorities in vector biology to improve control of vector-borne disease, integrated approaches in controlling diseases, the role, and mode of action of genes in controlling insecticide resistance phenotypes, recently cloned genes for enhancing virulence of entomopathogenic fungi, and so forth. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
1. Understanding of the biology of insect vectors of human diseases: entomology, ecology, evolution, molecular biology and functional genomics
2. Experimental vector biology: host-vector-pathogen interaction, insect resistance to pathogens, insect resistance to insecticides, vectorial potentiality
3. Alternative approaches to control insect vector: biological control with conventional and non-conventional approaches
4. In Silico Entomology: identification and characterization of new insecticide targets, novel biomolecules with insecticidal activity and understand the interaction between conventional insecticides and its targets in different insect vectors
5. New insights in insect signaling pathways involved in the activation of defense responses in insect system
6. Integrated vector-borne disease surveillance: vector-borne disease epidemiology & xenomonitoring of insect vectors
7. Reframing priorities and critical needs in vector biology to improve control and management of vector-borne disease
Before submission, authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at www. http://sajeb.org/about/submissions#authorGuidelines. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript along with a cover letter and name and contact details of three potential reviewers to the Guest Editor by email ([email protected])