News
A curated collection of articles from the popular press
A viral gene drive could offer a new approach to fighting herpes
Tags: Gene drive, Gene drive mechanismsMeghan Rosen, ScienceNews, 2024.
The words “herpes” and “spread” in the same sentence don’t typically spell good news. Unless, that is, you’re talking about a busybody new virus. That virus includes designer DNA called a gene drive that spreads from one herpes simplex virus to another. And it may be ...
Exploring new tools to fight vector-borne diseases: research and governance implications
Tags: Europe, Governance, Policy, Target malaria, Vector controlAlekos Simoni, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024.
I recently had the honor and pleasure of attending an event co-organized by the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research at the European Parliament in Brussels, and delivering a presentation on our work at Target Malaria to develop new genetic tools to reduce malaria ...
Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté’s frank conversation with Bill Gates
Tags: Africa, Gene drive, Stakeholder engagement, Target malariaAfrican Media Agency, 2024.
On October 2, 2024, Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté, a prominent figure in malaria research and Head of Medical Entomology at Burkina Faso’s Research Institute in Health Sciences, gained international attention by appearing in the Netflix documentary series "What’s Next? The ...
10 myths and misconceptions around modified mosquitoes
Tags: Aedes, Genetically modified mosquitoes, Malaria, South/Central AmericaMilliam Murigi, k24, 2024.
In the fight against mosquito-borne diseases, scientists have turned to groundbreaking genetic technologies to reduce disease transmission. However, Genetically Modified (GM) mosquitoes have raised concerns and sparked myths and misconceptions around it. Abraham Isah, OFAB ...
The ultra-selfish gene
Tags: CRISPR, Gene drive, Malaria, Selfish genetic elementsMathias Kirk Bonde, Works in Progress, 2024.
Almost every cell in our bodies contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are packages of the DNA and genes that provide the code for producing living things. Sperm and egg cells, however, each contain only one set of chromosomes. This set of chromosomes has been recombined from ...
Scientists explore new solutions to fight insecticide resistance, emerging mosquito species
Tags: Africa, Anopheles, Mosquitoes, ResistanceMilliam Murigi, People Daily, 2024.
Africa has long been the epicenter of malaria, battling the deadly disease with a combination of strategies, including insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying. However, the landscape of this fight is rapidly changing. Mosquitoes are increasingly developing resistance to ...
Bill Gates’ Efforts To Eradicate Malaria And The Economic Impact Of Ridding The Globe Of This Disease
Tags: Malaria, PolicyKaili Killpack, Yahoo Finance, 2024.
In a compelling drive to eradicate one of the world’s deadliest diseases, Bill Gates is leveraging his substantial influence and resources to tackle malaria with renewed vigor. His foundation's recent initiatives are centered around a multi-faceted approach that blends ...
Understanding gene flow and its implications for gene drive research
Tags: Ecology, Gene drive, Population genetics/dynamicsOutreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024.
Gene flow is the transfer of genetic information from one population to another. Also known as gene transfer or gene migration, it plays a crucial role in the evolution and adaptation of species. Understanding the dynamics of gene flow is essential to assess the potential risks ...
Is Kenya ready to turn to technology to finally defeat malaria?
Tags: Africa, Biodiversity/Conservation, Ecology, MalariaBrygettes Ngana, Nation, 2024.
For decades, researchers have tested and refined dozens of methods to combat malaria, striving to outmaneuver the resilient mosquito. From deploying bed nets to developing indoor residual spraying, these strategies have formed the frontline defense against this persistent ...
New genetic-editing technique to alter the traits and fates of wild populations
Tags: Biodiversity/Conservation, CRISPR, Ecology, Invasive species, Other mammalsLori Dajose, CalTech, 2024.
Gene drives are a common technology used to insert a novel gene into a population—for example, to make mosquitos resistant to malaria. They can also be used to modify existing genes, such as making herbicide-resistant weeds susceptible to herbicides once again or even to ...
Excess Lipids Keep Dengue at Bay
Tags: Aedes, Dengue, WolbachiaShelby Bradford, The Scientist, 2024.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito can transmit dengue virus; however, infection with endosymbiotic bacteria from the Wolbachia genus reduces viral transmission from these insects. Consequently, Wolbachia-infected mosquitos are one biocontrol agent used in areas with endemic dengue ...
What if GM mosquitoes could help limit the tiger mosquito population?
Tags: Genetically modified mosquitoes, Other arthropods, Risk assessmentAnonymous, All News Press, 2024.
What if the fight against the tiger mosquito, this invasive species originating from Southeast Asia and established in France for about twenty years, was not totally lost in advance? The exploratory project of Éric Marois, research officer Inserm, within the Institute of ...
Scientists want to use mosquito stomach bacteria to end malaria
Tags: Genetic biocontrol, Malaria, MosquitoesChia-Yu Chen & Shüné Oliver, Alliance for Science, 2024.
The months of September to May are an unfortunate season in South Africa: malaria season. The mosquito-borne disease is found in the north-eastern districts of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. There are fewer malaria cases in South Africa compared to other ...
Malaria & Dengue; distinguishing mosquito-borne diseases
Tags: Dengue, Malaria, MosquitoesGrace Matheka, HapaKenya, 2024.
World Mosquito Day is commemorated every year on the 20th of August. The day brings an opportunity to raise awareness on the dangers posed by mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, and the ongoing efforts to combat them. Both malaria and dengue are transmitted by female ...
Could X Centromeric Drive Underpin PCOS, Miscarriage and Other Age-Related Reproductive Issues?
Tags: Transmission distortion, X chromosomeRhianna-lily Smith, Technology Networks, 2024.
One of the most prevalent conditions is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting 8-13% of women of reproductive age. Characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels and ovarian cysts, PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility. Despite its ...
Genetically Modified Wolbachia mosquitoes help reduce virus transmission
Tags: Dengue, Mosquitoes, Vector control, WolbachiaPrecision Vaccinations, 2024.
Every year on World Mosquito Day, diseases spread by mosquitoes, which account for over 17% of all infectious diseases and lead to more than 700,000 deaths annually, are highlighted. Parasites, bacteria, or viruses can cause these diseases, including chikungunya, malaria, dengue, ...
Scientists’ novel technology to conserve mosquitoes
Tags: Gene drive, Malaria, MosquitoesMilliam Murigi, People Daily, 2024.
As the world celebrates World Mosquito Day today, scientists have introduced a revolutionary technology that could conserve mosquitoes instead of killing them while eliminating some of the diseases transmitted by mosquitos. Known as gene drive technology, this innovative ...
New genetic editing technique can modify wild populations with less risk
Tags: Ethics, Gene editing, Pest managementMacquarie University, Phys.org, 2024.
A new technique developed by researchers from Macquarie University and the California Institute of Technology could allow scientists to more safely alter the genetic makeup of wild populations. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications. The researchers have ...
Researchers develop plant gene drive system for enhanced trait inheritance
Tags: GeneticsAnonymous, Scientific Inquirer, 2024.
A collaborative research team led by QIAN Wenfeng from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University has developed a plant gene drive system called CRISPR-Assisted Inheritance utilizing NPG1 (CAIN), which, ...
Mosquitoes On The Run Due To Wolbachia Programmes.
Tags: Mosquitoes, WolbachiaAnonymous, St Kitts and Nevis Observer, 2024.
Dengue is becoming an increasingly common disease in Central America and the Caribbean, according to PAHO, even as deaths from the mosquito-born condition have fallen in recent years due to improved identification of the condition and medical care. However the World Mosquito ...
