Publications

Scalability of genetic biocontrols for eradicating invasive alien mammals

May 23, 2023

Background CRISPR-based gene drives offer novel solutions for controlling invasive alien species, which could ultimately extend eradication efforts to continental scales. Gene drives for suppressing invasive alien vertebrates are now under development. Using a landscape-scale individual-based model, we present the first estimates of times to eradication for long-lived alien mammals. We show that demography and […]

Current Status of Mosquito Handling, Transporting and Releasing in Frame of the Sterile Insect Technique

May 23, 2023

Background With the increasing burden of mosquito-borne diseases around the world and the traditional control methods showing drawbacks, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is now a potential new tool in the field of controlling mosquitoes. During the implementation of SIT, several steps, such as handling, transportation and release, are of great importance and stand a […]

Testing non-autonomous antimalarial gene drive effectors using self-eliminating drivers in the African mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae

May 23, 2023

Background Gene drives for mosquito population modification are novel tools for malaria control. Strategies to safely test antimalarial effectors in the field are required. Here, we modified the Anopheles gambiae zpg locus to host a CRISPR/Cas9 integral gene drive allele (zpgD) and characterized its behaviour and resistance profile. We found that zpgD dominantly sterilizes females but can induce efficient […]

Modifying mosquitoes to suppress disease transmission: Is the long wait over?

May 23, 2023

Background For more than 50 years it has been a dream of medical entomologists and public health workers to control diseases like malaria and dengue fever by modifying, through genetics and other methods, the arthropods that transmit them to humans. A brief synopsis of the history of these efforts as applied to mosquitoes is presented; none […]

Anopheles stephensi in Africa requires a more integrated response

May 23, 2023

Background There are increasing reports of the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi invading and spreading in Eastern Africa. We discuss the importance of these invasions in the context of broader challenges facing malaria control in Africa and argue against addressing it as an isolated problem. Anopheles stephensi is only one of multiple biological threats facing malaria control in the […]