Dr. Luckhart’s research is focused on the molecular cell biology and biochemistry of the interaction between malaria parasites and their mosquito and mammalian hosts and the functional characterization of primitive orthologs of mammalian innate immune molecules and cell signaling proteins using the mosquito as an invertebrate model. Specific research projects include: identification of signal transduction pathways involved in parasite induction of mosquito innate immunity; analysis of expression, signaling, and regulation of anti-parasite genes in mosquitoes; molecular and functional analyses of immune factors that are conserved between mosquitoes and their mammalian hosts; immunological crosstalk between mosquitoes and mammals at the interface of bloodfeeding; and understanding the role of co-infection (HIV, non-typhoidal Salmonella) on malaria parasite infection and transmission in two animal models. For additional information, please contact Dr. Luckhart at sluckhart@ucdavis.edu.