This is a database of peer-reviewed literature that focuses on Genetic Biocontrol research. The latest are shown here.
Factors associated with the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets in pregnant women and mothers with children under five years of age in Gaza province, Mozambique
Background:
Malaria remains a major public health concern worldwide. Malaria is endemic in Mozambique, with seasonal fluctuations throughout the country. Although the number of malaria cases in Mozambique have dropped by 11% from 2020 to 2021, there are still hotspots in the country with persistent high incidence and low insecticide-treated bed net usage. Providing clear, culturally sensitive, and practical information on the correct use of LLINs, as well as regular monitoring of their proper use, would be a great step forward for Mozambique’s national malaria program.
Nhangave AV, Munyangaju I, Osório D, Nacarapa E, Ndima S, Moiane A, et al. (2024) Factors associated with the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets in pregnant women and mothers with children under five years of age in Gaza province, Mozambique. PLOS Glob Public Health 4(1): e0002811. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002811
Gene drives, mosquitoes, and ecosystems: an interdisciplinary approach to emerging ethical concerns
Gene drives are genetic elements that in sexually reproducing organisms spread faster than those transmitted through a Mendelian fashion. Since gene drives can be engineered to modify different aspects of physiology and reproduction, they have been proposed as a new and revolutionary tool to control vector-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by the genera Anopheles and Aedes (Culicidae), such as malaria, Dengue and Zika virus. This approach may impact on human health by lowering the transmission of such devastating diseases. However, the release of genetically modified mosquitos (or other species) into the environment raises a series of questions related to the still incipient technology and our present understanding of the complex structure and dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Moreno RD, Valera L, Borgoño C, Castilla JC and Riveros JL (2024) Gene drives, mosquitoes, and ecosystems: an interdisciplinary approach to emerging ethical concerns. Front. Environ. Sci. 11:1254219. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1254219
mRNA vaccines expressing malaria transmission-blocking antigens Pfs25 and Pfs230D1 induce a functional immune response
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) are designed to inhibit the sexual stage development of the parasite in the mosquito host and can play a significant role in achieving the goal of malaria elimination. Preclinical and clinical studies using protein–protein conjugates of leading TBV antigens Pfs25 and Pfs230 domain 1 (Pfs230D1) have demonstrated the feasibility of TBV. Nevertheless, other promising vaccine platforms for TBV remain underexplored. The recent success of mRNA vaccines revealed the potential of this technology for infectious diseases.
Scaria, P.V., Roth, N., Schwendt, K. et al. mRNA vaccines expressing malaria transmission-blocking antigens Pfs25 and Pfs230D1 induce a functional immune response. npj Vaccines 9, 9 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-023-00783-y
Public Perception of Genetically Modified Organisms and the Implementation of Biosafety Measures in Kenya
Background:
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are an important nexus of biotechnology, agriculture, and research. GMOs have gained popularity because of their potential to address global food insecurity. However, the widespread adoption of GMOs has sparked debates and controversies. This study collected data on the threats and effects of the GMO ban and the status of implementation of Biosafety Act and Cartagena Protocol on biosafety in Kenya. The findings are important in addressing gaps in the current GMO regulations and implementation aimed at increasing awareness of GMO technology as well as informing policy on biotechnology.
Kunyanga Nkirote Catherine, B. Roy Mugiira, N. Josephat Muchiri, “Public Perception of Genetically Modified Organisms and the Implementation of Biosafety Measures in Kenya”, Advances in Agriculture, vol. 2024, Article ID 5544617, 15 pages, 2024.
Mitochondrial DNA variation in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Background
Wolbachia (Hertig 1936) (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae) has emerged as a valuable biocontrol tool in the fight against dengue by suppressing the transmission of the virus through mosquitoes. Monitoring the dynamics of Wolbachia is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of release programs. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) markers serve as important tools for molecular tracking of infected mitochondrial backgrounds over time but require an understanding of the variation in release sites. In this study, we investigated the mitochondrial lineages of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is a prospective release site for the “wAlbBQ” Wolbachia-infected strain of this mosquito species.
Thia, J. A., Endersby-Harshman, N., Collier, S., Nassar, M. S., Tawfik, E. A., Alfageeh, M. B., … & Hoffmann, A. A. (2023). Mitochondrial DNA variation in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Medical Entomology, tjad131.
Engineered and natural gene drives: mechanistically the same, yet not same in kind
Background
Thanks to CRISPR-Cas-based gene editing, engineered gene drive has suddenly become feasible as a potential cost-effective pest control tool that could help us resolve wicked challenges. In nature, several organisms harbor genes that “selfishly” drive themselves into populations. This natural gene drive uses similar mechanisms to the ones use today to drive engineered genes into laboratory populations.
We propose the use of the terms natural gene drive (NGD) and engineered gene drive (EGD) arguing against James et al., (James, S. L., O’Brochta, D. A., Randazzo, F., & Akbari, O. S. (2023). A gene drive is a gene drive: the debate over lumping or splitting definitions. nature communications, 14(1), 1749.) who think both should be included within the term “gene drive”, based on their mechanistic similarities.
Medina, R.F., Kuzma, J. Engineered and natural gene drives: mechanistically the same, yet not same in kind. Nat Commun 14, 5994 (2023).
Quantifying the impact of Wolbachia releases on dengue infection in Townsville, Australia
Background
From October 2014 to February 2019, local authorities in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia continually introduced Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to control seasonal outbreaks of dengue infection. In this study, we develop a mathematical modelling framework to estimate the effectiveness of this intervention as well as the relative dengue transmission rates of Wolbachia-infected and wild-type mosquitoes. We find that the transmission rate of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is reduced approximately by a factor of 20 relative to the uninfected wild-type population.
Ogunlade, S. T., Adekunle, A. I., Meehan, M. T., & McBryde, E. S. (2023). Quantifying the impact of Wolbachia releases on dengue infection in Townsville, Australia. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 14932.
Comparison of Ground Release and Drone-Mediated Aerial Release of Aedes aegypti Sterile Males in Southern Mexico: Efficacy and Challenges
Background
Diseases transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika, affect millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a safe and environmentally benign method of population suppression that could be applied to reduce mosquito-transmitted disease. SIT involves the release of large numbers of sterile male insects that then compete with wild males in mating with females. The females that mate with sterile males do not produce viable offspring. To test this technique within a pilot-scale trial in a village in southern Mexico, we compared two methods for the weekly release of large numbers (approximately 85,000 males/week) of sterile males that were marked with colored powders for later identification.
Marina, C. F., Liedo, P., Bond, J. G., R. Osorio, A., Valle, J., Angulo-Kladt, R., … & Williams, T. (2022). Comparison of ground release and drone-mediated aerial release of Aedes aegypti sterile males in southern Mexico: efficacy and challenges. Insects, 13(4), 347.
Malaria Vaccines: Progress to Date
Background
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Despite significant declines in malaria-attributable morbidity and mortality over the last two decades, it remains a major public health burden in many countries. This underscores the critical need for improved strategies to prevent, treat and control malaria if we are to ultimately progress towards the eradication of this disease. Ideally, this will include the development and deployment of a highly effective malaria vaccine that is able to induce long-lasting protective immunity. There are many malaria vaccine candidates in development, with more than a dozen of these in clinical development. RTS,S/AS01 (also known as Mosquirix) is the most advanced malaria vaccine and was shown to have modest efficacy against clinical malaria in phase III trials in 5- to 17-month-old infants. Following pilot implementation trials, the World Health Organisation has recommended it for use in Africa in young children who are most at risk of infection with P. falciparum, the deadliest of the human malaria parasites.
Stanisic, D.I., Good, M.F. Malaria Vaccines: Progress to Date. BioDrugs (2023).
Bioinformatic and literature assessment of toxicity and allergenicity of a CRISPR-Cas9 engineered gene drive to control Anopheles gambiae the mosquito vector of human malaria
Background
Population suppression gene drive is currently being evaluated, including via environmental risk assessment (ERA), for malaria vector control. One such gene drive involves the dsxFCRISPRh transgene encoding (i) hCas9 endonuclease, (ii) T1 guide RNA (gRNA) targeting the doublesex locus, and (iii) DsRed fluorescent marker protein, in genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs). Problem formulation, the first stage of ERA, for environmental releases of dsxFCRISPRh previously identified nine potential harms to the environment or health that could occur, should expressed products of the transgene cause allergenicity or toxicity.
Qureshi, A., & Connolly, J. B. (2023). Bioinformatic and literature assessment of toxicity and allergenicity of a CRISPR-Cas9 engineered gene drive to control Anopheles gambiae the mosquito vector of human malaria. Malaria Journal, 22(1), 234.