Álvaro Acosta Serrano
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social
Professor of Vector Biology and Parasitology at the University of Notre Dame, USA
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Save the dates!! @bspparasitology.bsky.social Spring Meeting 2026 will be in Bonnie Glasgow! 7-9 April 2026, with a drinks reception in Glasgow City Chambers on the 6th of April 2026!
Keep an eye on the BSP website for registration and abstract submission!
Logo by @shannaraeilean.bsky.social! 🦟
Keep an eye on the BSP website for registration and abstract submission!
Logo by @shannaraeilean.bsky.social! 🦟
September 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Save the dates!! @bspparasitology.bsky.social Spring Meeting 2026 will be in Bonnie Glasgow! 7-9 April 2026, with a drinks reception in Glasgow City Chambers on the 6th of April 2026!
Keep an eye on the BSP website for registration and abstract submission!
Logo by @shannaraeilean.bsky.social! 🦟
Keep an eye on the BSP website for registration and abstract submission!
Logo by @shannaraeilean.bsky.social! 🦟
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Marvel hasn’t called yet, but “Mosquito Slayer: Origin” has a nice ring to it.....
Thank you for covering our work
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social @lstmnews.bsky.social @notredame.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1186/s130...
Thank you for covering our work
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social @lstmnews.bsky.social @notredame.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1186/s130...
August 11, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Marvel hasn’t called yet, but “Mosquito Slayer: Origin” has a nice ring to it.....
Thank you for covering our work
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social @lstmnews.bsky.social @notredame.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1186/s130...
Thank you for covering our work
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social @lstmnews.bsky.social @notredame.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1186/s130...
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Check out this awesome study from our Notre Dame colleagues, @aacostaserrano.bsky.social and Lee Haines!! Nitisinone kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes through cuticular uptake
parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
The β-triketone, nitisinone, kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes through cuticular uptake - Parasites & Vectors
Background Insecticide resistance in disease-transmitting arthropods of agricultural, veterinary, and public health significance poses a significant threat to vector control programs worldwide. Previo...
parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com
August 7, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Check out this awesome study from our Notre Dame colleagues, @aacostaserrano.bsky.social and Lee Haines!! Nitisinone kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes through cuticular uptake
parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Just out: LSTM’s blog post on our latest paper exploring how nitisinone kills malaria mosquitoes, even the resistant ones, through tarsal contact.
From rare disease drug to vector control tool.
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social
📄 Paper: doi.org/10.1186/s130...
#malaria #vectorcontrol #entomology #HPPD
From rare disease drug to vector control tool.
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social
📄 Paper: doi.org/10.1186/s130...
#malaria #vectorcontrol #entomology #HPPD
August 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Just out: LSTM’s blog post on our latest paper exploring how nitisinone kills malaria mosquitoes, even the resistant ones, through tarsal contact.
From rare disease drug to vector control tool.
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social
📄 Paper: doi.org/10.1186/s130...
#malaria #vectorcontrol #entomology #HPPD
From rare disease drug to vector control tool.
@aacostaserrano.bsky.social
📄 Paper: doi.org/10.1186/s130...
#malaria #vectorcontrol #entomology #HPPD
Here we show that #nitisinone kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes via cuticular uptake. Great work Zach Stavrou-Dowd, Lee Haines, & LITE. Thanks @gatesfoundation.bsky.social & @RoseTrees Trust @notredame.bsky.social @lstmnews.bsky.social parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
The β-triketone, nitisinone, kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes through cuticular uptake - Parasites & Vectors
Background Insecticide resistance in disease-transmitting arthropods of agricultural, veterinary, and public health significance poses a significant threat to vector control programs worldwide. Previo...
parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com
August 1, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Here we show that #nitisinone kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes via cuticular uptake. Great work Zach Stavrou-Dowd, Lee Haines, & LITE. Thanks @gatesfoundation.bsky.social & @RoseTrees Trust @notredame.bsky.social @lstmnews.bsky.social parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
New paper from the lab:
Bianca Morejon defines the regulatory protease network that governs #mosquito #immunity
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Bianca Morejon defines the regulatory protease network that governs #mosquito #immunity
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
The expanded immunoregulatory protease network in mosquitoes is governed by gene coexpression | PNAS
Serine protease cascades regulate key innate immune responses. Their activation cleaves
a series of inactive protease zymogens, which then activate...
www.pnas.org
May 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
New paper from the lab:
Bianca Morejon defines the regulatory protease network that governs #mosquito #immunity
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Bianca Morejon defines the regulatory protease network that governs #mosquito #immunity
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/int... Many thanks to Chris Smith and the @NakeScientists for the short podcast about our recent publication on #Nitisinone & #Anopheles #mosquitoes
Safe human drug can poison mosquitoes
Another potential mitigation for malaria...
www.thenakedscientists.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/int... Many thanks to Chris Smith and the @NakeScientists for the short podcast about our recent publication on #Nitisinone & #Anopheles #mosquitoes
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Good news - after 76 yrs with no new drug for rhodiensese Human African Trypanosomiasis, @who.int has faciliated research, development & now delivery ofmore effective fexinidazole to replace suramin & melarsoprol. Huge benefit given harsh side effects of the latter.
www.who.int/news/item/07...
www.who.int/news/item/07...
WHO delivers fexinidazole to Malawi and Zimbabwe – a long-awaited safer treatment for rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis
In a major breakthrough for rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis (r-HAT) treatment, in August 2024 WHO recommended fexinidazole to replace suramin and melarsoprol as the first-line treatment for ...
www.who.int
April 3, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Good news - after 76 yrs with no new drug for rhodiensese Human African Trypanosomiasis, @who.int has faciliated research, development & now delivery ofmore effective fexinidazole to replace suramin & melarsoprol. Huge benefit given harsh side effects of the latter.
www.who.int/news/item/07...
www.who.int/news/item/07...
Thanks Jason Bittle & National Geographic @hgl7.bsky.social 4 the nice piece www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti... about our recent paper on nitisinone & malaria control www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
To fight malaria, scientists want to poison mosquitoes—with human blood
Low doses of a drug already approved for treating rare genetic conditions in humans kills mosquitoes dead. Scientists say it could be a valuable new tool in the fight against disease.
www.nationalgeographic.com
March 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Thanks Jason Bittle & National Geographic @hgl7.bsky.social 4 the nice piece www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti... about our recent paper on nitisinone & malaria control www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Thanks @freddyfrischknecht.bsky.social it has been a long road, as usual…
So good to see this out. I remember vividly when you first talked about it at BoP. Spectacular discovery. Congratulations to you and the team.
March 28, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Thanks @freddyfrischknecht.bsky.social it has been a long road, as usual…
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Un grupo de investigadores descubre que la nitisinona, que ya se emplea como fármaco contra enfermedades raras, es más eficaz contra los mosquitos que la ivermectina y podría ser una alternativa en la lucha contra la malaria
Un nuevo compuesto prometedor contra la malaria: convierte tu sangre en veneno para los mosquitos
Un grupo de investigadores descubre que la nitisinona, que ya se emplea como fármaco contra enfermedades raras, es más eficaz contra los mosquitos que la ivermectina y podría ser una alternativa en la...
www.eldiario.es
March 27, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Un grupo de investigadores descubre que la nitisinona, que ya se emplea como fármaco contra enfermedades raras, es más eficaz contra los mosquitos que la ivermectina y podría ser una alternativa en la lucha contra la malaria
A team effort!
Delighted that this work is finally out. A great piece of innovative translational research involving a multidisciplinary team led by @aacostaserrano.bsky.social, many congratulations to all co-authors 👏👏👏👏
A drug used to treat rare genetic disorders also makes human blood lethal to mosquitoes, research shows.
This offers a promising new vector control strategy at a time when growing insecticide resistance threatens global malaria management progress.
lstm.ac/nitisinone
This offers a promising new vector control strategy at a time when growing insecticide resistance threatens global malaria management progress.
lstm.ac/nitisinone
March 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
A team effort!
Muchas gracias @elenagomez-diaz.bsky.social y Carlos!
Nuevo artículo de @aberron.bsky.social sobre el estudio de @aacostaserrano.bsky.social en el que se descubre la fuerte actividad mosquiticida de la Niconitisinona, un fármaco utilizado en enfermedades raras. Comento junto con Carlos Chaccour el potencial de su reutilización contra la #malaria
📌 Un nuevo compuesto prometedor contra la malaria: convierte tu sangre en veneno para los mosquitos www.eldiario.es/1_b9a656?utm...
March 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Muchas gracias @elenagomez-diaz.bsky.social y Carlos!
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Ya para socios: Un nuevo compuesto prometedor contra la malaria: convierte tu sangre en veneno para los mosquitos
Un nuevo compuesto prometedor contra la malaria: convierte tu sangre en veneno para los mosquitos
Un grupo de investigadores descubre que la nitisinona, que ya se emplea como fármaco contra enfermedades raras, es más eficaz contra los mosquitos que la ivermectina y podría ser una alternativa en la...
www.eldiario.es
March 26, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Ya para socios: Un nuevo compuesto prometedor contra la malaria: convierte tu sangre en veneno para los mosquitos
Glad this is finally out. Using pharmacokinetic modeling we show that #nitisinone, an FDA-approved drug 4 #Tyrosinemia & #Alkaptonuria, kills #Anopheles mosquitoes, outperforming #Ivermectin. Grateful to all primary author’s & fantastic collaborators!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Anopheles mosquito survival and pharmacokinetic modeling show the mosquitocidal activity of nitisinone
Nitisinone reduces survival of the malaria-transmitting mosquito Anopheles gambiae by blocking tyrosine catabolism.
www.science.org
March 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Glad this is finally out. Using pharmacokinetic modeling we show that #nitisinone, an FDA-approved drug 4 #Tyrosinemia & #Alkaptonuria, kills #Anopheles mosquitoes, outperforming #Ivermectin. Grateful to all primary author’s & fantastic collaborators!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
globally, there are ~3500 described mosquito species in the Culicidae family and many of these are important vectors of disease but only a small percentage have genomic resources. we are launching a pilot project to generate high quality reference genomes for 100 important mosquito species [1/3]
February 24, 2025 at 10:51 AM
globally, there are ~3500 described mosquito species in the Culicidae family and many of these are important vectors of disease but only a small percentage have genomic resources. we are launching a pilot project to generate high quality reference genomes for 100 important mosquito species [1/3]
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
PLOS has issued a statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity.
We are determined to stand firmly behind our mission, our values and our principles, and against any attempt at censorship or undermining of the core principles of scientific inquiry.
plos.io/3D4O8cH
We are determined to stand firmly behind our mission, our values and our principles, and against any attempt at censorship or undermining of the core principles of scientific inquiry.
plos.io/3D4O8cH
PLOS statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity - The Official PLOS Blog
Since its founding over twenty five years ago PLOS has been dedicated to advancing open science, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to…
plos.io
February 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
PLOS has issued a statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity.
We are determined to stand firmly behind our mission, our values and our principles, and against any attempt at censorship or undermining of the core principles of scientific inquiry.
plos.io/3D4O8cH
We are determined to stand firmly behind our mission, our values and our principles, and against any attempt at censorship or undermining of the core principles of scientific inquiry.
plos.io/3D4O8cH
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
'I log on & am bombarded by pictures of things happening outside of Burundi..A non-elected billionaire is answering qs in the Oval Office. He is well-fed & cost of his clothing alone could probably sustain the children in my hospital for a yr. I wonder how we will feed the malnourished babies 2mrw'
February 19, 2025 at 7:18 PM
'I log on & am bombarded by pictures of things happening outside of Burundi..A non-elected billionaire is answering qs in the Oval Office. He is well-fed & cost of his clothing alone could probably sustain the children in my hospital for a yr. I wonder how we will feed the malnourished babies 2mrw'
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Breaking news: 22 states are suing to block NIH’s cutting of indirect costs.
See our updated story on the Friday night news and its aftermath. scim.ag/4hTJQ6v
See our updated story on the Friday night news and its aftermath. scim.ag/4hTJQ6v
NIH slashes overhead payments for research, sparking outrage and lawsuit
Move to cut indirect cost rate to 15% could cost universities billions of dollars
scim.ag
February 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Breaking news: 22 states are suing to block NIH’s cutting of indirect costs.
See our updated story on the Friday night news and its aftermath. scim.ag/4hTJQ6v
See our updated story on the Friday night news and its aftermath. scim.ag/4hTJQ6v
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
Hey #fungal people - the applications for this years MOMY course are open! Wonderful course in a wonderful place with wonderful people. Check it out here: www.mbl.edu/education/ad...
February 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Hey #fungal people - the applications for this years MOMY course are open! Wonderful course in a wonderful place with wonderful people. Check it out here: www.mbl.edu/education/ad...
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
🚨 We are recruiting for two post-doc positions!🚨
1) Development of genetic tools to study mosquito immune cells isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
2) Role of mosquito immune cells in immune recognition and priming isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
1) Development of genetic tools to study mosquito immune cells isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
2) Role of mosquito immune cells in immune recognition and priming isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
February 6, 2025 at 9:31 PM
🚨 We are recruiting for two post-doc positions!🚨
1) Development of genetic tools to study mosquito immune cells isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
2) Role of mosquito immune cells in immune recognition and priming isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
1) Development of genetic tools to study mosquito immune cells isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
2) Role of mosquito immune cells in immune recognition and priming isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
Reposted by Álvaro Acosta Serrano
I’m very much looking forward to attending the symposium and to celebrate the career of Mark Carrington.
🚨 Retirement Symposium for Prof Mark Carrington of the University of Cambridge
Our #Trypanosoma colleagues may want to attend this symposium in Cambridge on the 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, 2025 (register by the 15th!)
- Details at QR code & tinyurl.com/2uw8tryu
Our #Trypanosoma colleagues may want to attend this symposium in Cambridge on the 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, 2025 (register by the 15th!)
- Details at QR code & tinyurl.com/2uw8tryu
January 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I’m very much looking forward to attending the symposium and to celebrate the career of Mark Carrington.