Dr. Zhijian Jake Tu's lab focuses on understanding the sex-determination mechanisms in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known carriers of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The lab is investigating the M factor, a critical genetic component that dictates whether a mosquito becomes male or female, with the goal of developing innovative methods for controlling mosquito populations. By deciphering the sex-determining pathways, the research aims to create safe and effective strategies to combat mosquito-borne illnesses.