27 October 2025

GeneTex Antibodies Empower Mosquito-Borne Virus Research

GeneTex: Mosquito-borne viruses, which are responsible for high morbidity and mortality, are spreading worldwide. Countering these pathogens is dependent on basic and clinical research conducted with trusted reagents.

Expanding Threats from Mosquito-Borne Viruses

Mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) are spreading at unprecedented rates due to climate change, pathogen evolution, and global mobility. Once associated primarily with tropical regions, viruses such as dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Zika virus (ZIKV), yellow fever virus (YFV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) now affect diverse populations worldwide. In addition, emerging pathogens like the equine encephalitis viruses and Usutu virus threaten to cross into new ecological niches.

The global burden of mosquito-borne viral diseases is substantial. DENV causes nearly 400 million infections annually. CHIKV infection frequently results in chronic post-viral polyarthritis/arthralgia and has been increasingly associated with neurological sequelae including encephalitis and myelitis. ZIKV is strongly linked to congenital Zika syndrome, encompassing microcephaly and neurodevelopmental impairment, as well as Guillain–Barré syndrome in adults. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, yellow fever virus (YFV) continues to cause recurrent, often lethal outbreaks in regions with insufficient immunization coverage, leading to hemorrhagic fever and multi-organ failure. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) remains the predominant cause of viral encephalitis across Asia, with case-fatality rates of 20–30% and permanent neurological impairment in up to half of survivors. Collectively, these arboviruses impose extraordinary strain on healthcare infrastructures and drive substantial economic, agricultural, and societal disruption.

The Critical Role of Antibodies in Arbovirus Research

Antibodies are indispensable for combating mosquito-borne viruses, serving as essential tools for viral detection in patient samples, animal reservoirs, and mosquito vectors to enable early outbreak recognition. In research, they facilitate mapping of viral tropism, replication, and immune evasion, while neutralizing antibodies provide insights into protective immunity and guide vaccine development. Diagnostic antibodies are crucial to assess exposure and immunity, and they are equally valuable in drug manufacturing pipelines to monitor antiviral efficacy and target engagement.

To support this work, GeneTex is committed to supporting virology research with its rigorously validated antibodies for DENV, CHIKV, JEV, ZIKV, YFV, and other arboviruses, optimized for applications such as immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. In addition, GeneTex is creating new antibody portfolios targeting other emerging arboviruses, including Powassan virus (POWV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Oropouche virus (OROV), among others. These reagents will hopefully drive the research that results in increased mechanistic understanding of these pathogens and significant translational advances.