Artificial Feeding Systems for Vector-Borne Disease Studies

Simple Summary Artificial feeding systems have emerged as a vital tool in research on arthropods like mosquitoes, ticks, blackflies, sandflies, tsetse flies, fleas, and triatomine bugs, aiding in the understanding of pathogen transmission. This review explores various artificial feeding systems used to study human-vector relationships and pathogen transmission, detailing their roles in insect-related research. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these systems, their practical applications, and speculate on future directions in vector-borne disease research. Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of different artificial feeding systems will help researchers to choose the right tools for developing effective pathogen transmission and disease control strategies.Abstract This review examines the advancements and methodologies of artificial feeding systems for the study of vector-borne diseases, offering a critical assessment of their development, advantages, and limitations relative to traditional live host models. It underscores the ethical considerations and practical benefits of such systems, including minimizing the use of live animals and enhancing experimental consistency. Various artificial feeding techniques are detailed, including membrane feeding, capillary feeding, and the utilization of engineered biocompatible materials, with their respective applications, efficacy, and the challenges encountered with their use also being outlined. This review also forecasts the integration of cutting-edge technologies like biomimicry, microfluidics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence to refine and expand the capabilities of artificial feeding systems. These innovations aim to more accurately simulate natural feeding conditions, thereby improving the reliability of studies on the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This comprehensive review serves as a foundational reference for researchers in the field, proposing a forward-looking perspective on the potential of artificial feeding systems to revolutionize vector-borne disease research.