Ronald Jason Pitts

YOLito: A generalizable model for automated mosquito detection

YOLito automates mosquito detection and behavioral analysis, achieving high accuracy across species and assays.

The co-receptors Orco and Ir8a are required for coordinated expression of chemosensory genes in the antennae of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

The paper investigates the role of co-receptors Orco and Ir8a in coordinating chemosensory gene expression in Aedes aegypti antennae through RNAseq and differential expression analysis.

Odorant receptors for floral- and plant-derived volatiles in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

This study identifies odorant receptor-ligand pairs in Aedes aegypti that mediate responses to floral and plant volatiles, informing mosquito control strategies.

Carboxylic acids that drive mosquito attraction to humans activate ionotropic receptors

This study identifies a subfamily of ionotropic receptors in mosquitoes that are activated by carboxylic acids, which are key components of human sweat and microbial volatiles, and may underlie mosquito attraction to humans.

PrimedSherlock: A tool for rapid design of highly specific CRISPR-Cas12 crRNAs

PrimedSherlock automates the design of specific CRISPR-Cas12 crRNAs and primers, enabling sensitive and specific detection of arboviruses with minimal off-target noise.

Functional conservation of Anopheline linalool receptors through 100 million years of evolution

This study shows that Anopheline odorant receptors differentially respond to linalool enantiomers, suggesting a role in chemical ecology and potential applications in pest management.

Mutagenesis of the Ammonium Transporter AcAmt Reveals a Reproductive Role and a Novel Ammonia-Sensing Mechanism in the Malaria Vector Mosquito Anopheles coluzzii

This study mutates the ammonium transporter AcAmt in Anopheles coluzzii and finds it affects reproduction, eclosion, and ammonia sensing differently than in Drosophila.