Welcome to the Gnatwork
The Gnatwork was launched in July 2017, as one of four Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Networks in vector-borne disease research. Through the provision of pump-prime funding and annual training meetings, we aim to create a research community based on shared technical difficulties in experimentation on blackflies, sandflies and biting midges.
The network is co-led by Director Dr Simon Carpenter (The Pirbright Institute) and Co-Director Professor Mary Cameron (The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), and supported by a Management Board of eight internationally recognised experts in blackfly, sandfly and biting midge biology.
The Gnatwork Objectives
Objective One
To create and maintain a community of blackfly, sandfly and biting midge researchers, based on shared technical difficulties.
Objective Two
To carry out annual meetings that promote the development of transferable skills.
Objective Three
To fund studies within the community that will validate techniques and generate data to underpin future applications.