Field performance of engineered male mosquitoes

Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Oxitec, Sterile insect technique (SIT)
A. F. Harris, D. Nimmo, A. R. McKemey, N. Kelly, S. Scaife, C. A. Donnelly, C. Beech, W. D. Petrie and L. Alphey, Nature Biotechnology, 29:1034-1037. 2011.

Mass-release of sterile male mosquitoes is a promising option for controlling dengue and malaria, but it has never been shown that lab-raised transgenic males can compete effectively with their wild counterparts outside laboratory conditions. Promising results from a restricted field trail now suggest the feasibility of extending the approach for large-scale mosquito-control programs.