Call for Subject Matter Experts
Invitation to Join as a Subject Matter Expert The African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium is seeking qualified and passionate subject matter experts to join our growing network dedicated to responsible innovation and the safe application of genetic biocontrol technologies across Africa. About the Consortium The African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium brings together scientists, regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders […]
Trends and cross-country inequalities in dengue, 1990–2021
DALYs burden decomposition highlighted population growth as the key driver of global burden, yet impacts differed across Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) quintiles. Dengue fever burden inequalities related to SDI have remained, with benefits shifting from poor to rich populations. Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) model projections indicate stable incidence and prevalence ASRs, but declining DALYs and mortality ASRs, […]
Male-dependent resistance to Spiroplasma-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility
Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) caused by bacterial endosymbionts is an embryonic developmental failure between infected host males and uninfected females. Although even closely related hosts can have different CI phenotypes, little is known on the resistance mechanism in non-susceptible hosts. The parasitoid wasp species complex of Lariophagus distinguendus encompasses at least three species, termed clades A, B and […]
Climate change and malaria control: a call to urgent action from Africa’s frontlines
In December 2024, L’Initiative-Expertise France organized a workshop in Musanze, Rwanda, for National Malaria Control and Elimination Programmes (NMC/EPs) representatives from 19 sub-Saharan African countries. The workshop focused on surveillance, modeling, climate forecasting, and innovative control methods to mitigate climate change impacts on malaria. Participants shared challenges, experiences and best practices. Key challenges highlighted include […]
The fast-evolving FIKK kinase family of Plasmodium falciparum can be inhibited by a single compound
Of 250 Plasmodium species, 6 infect humans, with P. falciparum causing over 95% of 600,000 annual malaria-related deaths. Its pathology arises from host cell remodelling driven by over 400 exported parasite proteins, including the FIKK kinase family. About one million years ago, a bird-infecting Plasmodium species crossed into great apes and a single non-exported FIKK kinase gained an export element. This led […]
Suppression of Aedes mosquito populations with the boosted sterile insect technique in tropical and Mediterranean urban areas
Aedes mosquitoes are the vectors of dengue viruses and other arboviruses, which threaten billions of people all over the world. The boosted sterile insect technique (boosted SIT) is a version of SIT in which irradiated sterile males also transmit a biocide to immature stages. Bouyer, J., Gil, D.A., Mora, I.P. et al. Suppression of Aedes mosquito populations with the […]