Aedes aegypti is the primary vector for Dengue and Yellow Fever, and a secondary vector for other arboviruses including the recently endemic Chikungunya. Our work with Aedes aegypti aims to tease apart mechanisms of vector competence which directly affect insect mediated immune responses. Specifically we focus on the interplay between dengue viruses and the mosquito midgut using a variety of classic immunology and newer molecular biology tools. We also complete anti-microbial peptide work, aimed at isolating immune peptides from Ae. aegypt i in attempts to create novel human anti-biotics.