"Genetic scissors" transform three-eyed mosquitoes

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have used "gene scissors" tools to create the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has three eyes and abnormal wings, according to the university's official website. They hope the genetically modified mosquitoes will help prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases. The study was published in the latest issue
.
Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector of dengue virus, yellow fever virus and Zika virus, with varying degrees of resistance to commonly used insecticides. Previous studies have attempted to stop mosquito-borne diseases through gene editing, but there have been problems such as low genetic variation, low survival of modified mosquitoes, and the inability of damaged genes to stabilize genetics.
now, researchers have genetically modified the Aedes aegypti mosquito to allow its reproductive cell line to express Cas9 enzymes in a stable way, which plays a key "scissor" role in crispr/Cas9, a popular gene-editing tool. The researchers then used CRISPR technology to make targeted and efficient edits of the Aedes aegypti mosquito's DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
researchers intervened or destroyed genes in mosquitoes associated with the development of the skin, wings and eyes, eventually producing yellow mosquitoes with three eyes and deformed wings. For example, when gene-editing tools intervened with genes associated with skin pigment, mosquitoes changed from black to yellow, and after the genes associated with eye pigment were destroyed, the color of the mosquito's eyes changed from black to white.
researchers say this is the first step in changing mosquito characteristics through genetic editing, and their long-term goal is to control mosquito populations and reduce the spread of disease by inserting and spreading target genes, such as genes that disrupt reproductive capacity, using mosquitoes that steadily express Cas9 enzymes in the body. This approach is not only environmentally friendly, but also less costly. Mathematical modelling shows that their "multiplexing" technique increases the genetic risk of the target gene by 100 percent. (Source: Science and Technology Daily Liu Xia)