During the course ‘Frontiers in Medical and Veterinary biology’, students follow an interesting practical programme on entomology, virology and nematology topics. Sander Koenraadt, Rody Blom and Charlotte Linthout were assisting the students this year in discovering commonly used molecular techniques in the field of medical entomology. This year’s practical focus was on the detection of the West Nile and Usutu viruses in overwintering mosquitoes. Want to know more about the contents and results of this course? Then read along!
Education
The attraction of mosquito research to (very) early-career scientists
Every year a workshop is hosted by Jeroen Spitzen and myself (Tessa), to help high-school students with their school research projects, called ‘profielwerkstuk’. During the workshop, students get the opportunity to collect data, get a tour of our mosquito rearing and experimental facilities, and have the possibility to ask their questions to the mosquito experts. Jeroen has been organizing this practical for more than 10 years!