Willy Kibet

About Willy Kibet

Posts by Willy Kibet:

Regulatory and policy considerations for the implementation of gene drive-modified mosquitoes to prevent malaria transmission

May 24, 2023

Background Gene drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMMs) are being developed as possible new tools to prevent transmission of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. To date no GDMMs have yet undergone field testing. This early stage is an opportune time for developers, supporters, and possible users to begin to consider the potential regulatory requirements for eventual implementation of […]

Release of sterile Aedes aegypti mosquitoes: chilling effect on mass-reared males survival and escape ability and on irradiated males sexual competitiveness

May 24, 2023

Background In the sterile insect technique, it is important to measure the impact of mass-rearing and handling of sterile males to allow a successful control of the target wild population. This study evaluates the effect of pre-release chilling on the survival, escape ability, and sexual competitiveness of male Aedes aegypti. Sánchez-Aldana-Sánchez, G. A., Liedo, P., Bond, […]

From the Lab to the Field: Long-Distance Transport of Sterile Aedes Mosquitoes

May 24, 2023

Background Pilot programs of the sterile insect technique (SIT) against Aedes aegypti may rely on importing significant and consistent numbers of high-quality sterile males from a distant mass rearing factory. As such, long-distance mass transport of sterile males may contribute to meet this requirement if their survival and quality are not compromised. This study therefore aimed to […]

Review of gene drive modelling and implications for risk assessment of gene drive organisms

May 24, 2023

Background Synthetic gene drive (GD) systems constitute a form of novel invasive environmental biotechnology with far-reaching consequences beyond those of other known genetically modified organisms (GMOs). During the last 10 years, the development of GD systems has been closely linked to mathematical modelling which can provide feedback on how to achieve gene drive spread but […]

Harnessing Wolbachia cytoplasmic incompatibility alleles for confined gene drive: A modeling study

May 24, 2023

Background Wolbachia bacteria can be placed into insects and released into the wild, where the Wolbachia spreads throughout the insect population. They have been used as an effective disease control tool because the Wolbachia reduces transmission of pathogens by mosquitoes. It may also be possible to use the Wolbachia spread mechanism to power a gene drive, allowing for flexible deployment of cargo […]