Haplotype-resolved genome assemblies and chromosomal rearrangements in arboviral vector Aedes albopictus

PROJECT SUMMARY The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is native to Southeast Asia but in a few decades this species expanded its range to all continents except Antarctica. Aedes albopictus is capable of transmitting multiple arboviruses including dengueâ€Â"the leading arboviral disease of 21st centuryâ€Â"Chikungunya, and Zikaâ€Â"an emerging health threats for the world. Because of its remarkable ability to develop a photoperiodic diapause in the temperate climate, Ae. albopictus has the potential to spread these dangerous diseases further north. This project will develop haplotype-resolved chromosome-scale genome assemblies for multiple strains of Ae. albopictus and will test if adaptations to the temperate climate are associated with chromosomal rearrangements in this mosquito. Toward this end, we propose the following specific aims: 1) develop a haplotype-resolved chromosome-scale genome assemblies for four strains of Ae. albopictus including the Foshan strain; 2) improve the physical genome map for the Foshan strain of Ae. albopictus; and 3) identify chromosomal rearrangements in different populations of Ae. albopictus world-wide. Our long- term goal is to understand the genetic basis of the incredible phenotypic plasticity of Ae. albopictus that helps this mosquito to rapidly spread around the globe. We envision that the availability of the high-quality reference genome assemblies for multiple strains of Ae. albopictus will stimulate further genetic studies aimed at preventing mosquito-borne disease transmission.