eLife: Does genetic modification of mosquitoes prevent malaria transmission?

More and more mosquitoes are resistant to insecticides, and the malaria parasites are resistant to antimalarial drugs, making people urgently need new methods to combat this disease

More and more mosquitoes are resistant to insecticides, and the malaria parasites are resistant to antimalarial drugs, making people urgently need new methods to combat this disease

This study is the latest step in a series of steps using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to modify mosquito genes, which may reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit malaria

This study is the latest step in a series of steps using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to modify mosquito genes, which may reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit malaria

Gene drive is being tested as a new method

Researchers genetically modified the malaria-transmitting mosquito Anopheles gambiae

Correction of the CRISPR/Cas9 midgut site in Anopheles gambiae

Homology direction correction gambiae CRISPR locus midgut / Cas9 coherent direction correction gambiae gambiae gambiae CRISPR / Cas9 midgut site

Next, the research team bred these mosquitoes to see if they can reproduce successfully and stay healthy

Next, the research team bred these mosquitoes to see if they can reproduce successfully and stay healthy

Transmission blocking test of Plasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium falciparum transmission blocking test Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium falciparumtransmission blocking test

This experiment provides preliminary evidence that this genetic modification method can create a successful gene drive

This experiment provides preliminary evidence that this genetic modification method can create a successful gene drive

These genetic modifications are passive and can be tested on site and undergo strict supervision procedures to ensure that they can safely and effectively block the parasites and will not cause people to worry about accidental spread in the environment

Article reference: Astrid Hoermann, Sofia Tapanelli, Paolo Capriotti, Giuseppe Del Corsano, Ellen KG Masters, Tibebu Habtewold, George K Christophides, Nikolai Windbichler.

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