Gene Drive Technology in the News
A viral gene drive could offer a new approach to fighting herpes
32519Meghan Rosen, ScienceNews, 2024-10-15 08:28:16.
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 a first step toward an entirely new way of treating the infection, researchers report September 17 in Nature Communications. For now, the team has shown simply that their gene drive DNA sequence can copy/paste itself into the genomes of other herpes viruses during an infection in mice. But the idea is to one day create a gene drive virus that shuts down herpes simplex infections in people, says Keith Jerome, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. Jerome ultimately wants to say to patients: “You don’t ever have to worry about this virus again. It’s never going to cause disease. You’re never going to infect another person. It just doesn’t matter to your life anymore.” Though some may consider herpes more annoyance than agony, “these viruses have a tremendous effect on people’s health,” Jerome says. They can cause a huge range of symptoms — some people don’t even know they’re infected while others sprout oozing sores around the genitals or mouth. Current therapies include antivirals, but they just tamp the virus down, they don’t eradicate it. One challenge is that herpes can lie dormant in people’s nerve cells for months or years and then roar awake again, spawning fresh blisters. Infection lasts a lifetime. A therapy that disables the slumbering virus could potentially cure the infection. But how to do it? Marius Walter, a Fred Hutch virologist, remembers reading an article that claimed designing gene drives in viruses was impossible. “That got me thinking,” he says.
Exploring new tools to fight vector-borne diseases: research and governance implications
32541Alekos Simoni, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024-10-08 12:24:29.
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 transmission in Africa. The event was an opportunity to discuss advancements in the development of gene drive technologies and governance implications related to these new tools. With climate change creating favorable conditions for the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes, and challenges such as drug and insecticide resistance threatening the efficacy of current interventions, a global, coordinated response is needed to tackle vector-borne diseases. In this context, gene drive technologies could offer a promising addition to existing approaches. MEP Charles Goerens opened the session by highlighting the global burden of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which cause over 700,000 deaths every year. He stressed the importance of innovation to address global health challenges and the critical role of the European Parliament in ensuring responsible oversight of new tools, such as gene drive technologies.
Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté’s frank conversation with Bill Gates
32512African Media Agency, 2024-10-08 09:27:11.
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 Future With Bill Gates." The episode, titled "Can We Outsmart Disease?", delves into the ongoing battle against malaria, which disproportionately affects Africa, accounting for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths globally. In his conversation with Gates, Diabaté highlights the critical link between malaria and poverty, arguing that had the disease claimed similar lives in wealthier nations, it would have prompted a more aggressive global response. He advocates for a greater role for African voices in developing innovative solutions to combat malaria, including emerging technologies like gene drive mechanisms aimed at reducing mosquito populations. Despite significant progress, recent reports indicate a worrying increase in malaria cases due to factors such as insecticide resistance and climate change. The documentary underscores the urgent need for sustained investment in malaria research and innovative approaches, a sentiment echoed by Gates, who notes the shocking disparity in funding for malaria compared to other health issues. As the series aims to raise awareness and inspire action, it poses a pressing question: Can we finally outsmart this persistent disease?
10 myths and misconceptions around modified mosquitoes
31627Milliam Murigi, k24, 2024-09-23 21:32:42.
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 Project officer, Nigeria demystifies them. There have been allegations that scientists have secret agendas, and that is why they’re pushing for the release of Genetically Modified (GM) mosquitoes. However, the truth, releasing GM is intended to control populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, which spread malaria, dengue, and Zika virus. These mosquitoes are engineered to either reduce the population or make it less capable of transmitting diseases. This approach has been thoroughly tested and regulated by authorities like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure safety and efficacy. The primary goal is to reduce disease burden and improve public health, not to impose a hidden agenda.
The ultra-selfish gene
31608Mathias Kirk Bonde, Works in Progress, 2024-09-18 20:59:37.
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 their parents’ chromosomes, meaning it contains a random mixture of segments from the parents. When a sperm and egg cell fuse, the resulting cell has a pair of each chromosome once again, resulting in 23 pairs. Because the sections of each chromosome to be passed on were selected randomly, any specific gene in a parent has only a 50 percent chance of making it to the next generation. A gene that helps organisms to have more surviving offspring will gradually become more widespread in the population. But some genes have found ways of overriding this process. For example, what if a gene makes the sperm or egg more likely to inherit the section of DNA where the gene itself is located? In that case, the selection process is no longer random, and the gene can spread across the population even if the gene carries no advantage to the animal’s fitness.
Scientists explore new solutions to fight insecticide resistance, emerging mosquito species
31587Milliam Murigi, People Daily, 2024-09-17 12:05:17.
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 insecticides, undermining these critical interventions. Additionally, new mosquito species, previously not found in certain regions, are now making their presence felt, posing new threats and challenges. But what does the emergence of this double tragedy mean to the continent and what actions are being taken? Dr Willy Kiprotich Tonui, EBS, the Chairman and Executive Director at Environmental Health Safety who also doubles up as the Founder and Head of the Secretariat at the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium says that the emergence of these challenges means that new solutions must be developed and that is why scientists have been working day and night to come up with new solutions. So far new compounds, DIF-1(+3), which has demonstrated significantly stronger growth inhibitory effects against Plasmodium falciparum have been synthesized, including strains resistant to chloroquine and artemisinin. This compound showed near-complete suppression of parasite growth in vivo tests, indicating its potential as a new treatment option in areas with high levels of drug resistance. “New insights into how malaria parasites invade host cells have also been revealed. This is useful in understanding mechanisms that can aid in developing targeted treatments and vaccines to prevent the parasite from establishing infection in the first place,” says Dr Tonui.
Bill Gates’ Efforts To Eradicate Malaria And The Economic Impact Of Ridding The Globe Of This Disease
31585Kaili Killpack, Yahoo Finance, 2024-09-17 10:18:40.
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 cutting-edge technology with grassroots interventions. Gates highlights the strategic investment in next-generation mosquito control methods, such as genetically modified insects that target and disrupt malaria transmission. This ambitious endeavor is complemented by an increased focus on innovative treatments and vaccines, aiming to outpace the disease's adaptability. Gates’ commitment underscores a broader global effort to turn the tide against malaria, demonstrating that through a combination of scientific innovation and dedicated funding, the fight against this ancient scourge is on the brink of a transformative breakthrough.
Understanding gene flow and its implications for gene drive research
31547Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024-09-16 09:02:52.
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 and benefits of gene drive approaches. Gene drive technology works by promoting the inheritance of a selected genetic trait within a population, leading to this trait becoming increasingly common within a specific species over time. Researchers have been studying how to harness this technology to address global challenges, including to control the transmission of vector-borne diseases and populations of invasive alien species which threaten sensitive ecosystems. Gene flow occurs naturally in the environment through two main dynamics: Vertical gene flow happens through mating, transferring genetic traits from one generation to another within a species or between closely related species. It is a natural part of evolutionary processes and plays a significant role in how traits are inherited. Horizontal gene flow involves the transfer of genes through non-sexual routes to unrelated organisms. While more common in bacteria, this type of gene flow is much less frequent in complex organisms. The potential implications of gene flow for gene drive research vary depending on specific circumstances. For example, gene drives could spread beneficial traits to malaria-carrying mosquitoes to help combat the disease. However, researchers must also consider whether the genetic modification could be passed on beyond its target population and, if so, whether it could lead to unintended impacts. Current studies indicate that gene flow between targeted and non-target species is generally unlikely due to genetic and ecological barriers. Despite this low probability, researchers continue to explore and refine gene drive technologies, notably by developing systems with built-in safeguards. These strategies aim to control how far and fast gene drives can spread by designing systems that only activate under specific conditions or within certain populations, or are self-limiting through time.
Is Kenya ready to turn to technology to finally defeat malaria?
31451Brygettes Ngana, Nation, 2024-09-04 21:31:11.
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 parasite. Over the years, tactics like sleeping under a treated mosquito net and destroying mosquito breeding areas have become ingrained in our daily lives. Yet, malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Africa, claiming nearly 600,000 lives annually, the majority of whom are children under the age of five. The disease is transmitted by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, found in the female Anopheles mosquito, and thrive in the warm, tropical climates found across much of the continent. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that 249 million cases of malaria occurred in just 85 malaria-endemic countries in 2022. Nine out of 10 of these deaths occurred in Africa. Despite the development of new vaccines, and antimalarial drugs, progress in reducing malaria transmission, WHO says, has slowed. Even in some developed countries where it was once a distant memory, the disease is making a comeback.
New genetic-editing technique to alter the traits and fates of wild populations
31454Lori Dajose, CalTech, 2024-09-03 21:38:08.
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 suppress invasive populations. However, gene drives often face social concerns and regulatory challenges because they involve the spread of transgenes (genes that have been transferred and integrated into an organism's DNA) to high frequency. The new technique, called an Allele Sail, uses the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology to introduce a targeted "editor" into a population at low frequency. This editor itself does not increase in frequency as organisms reproduce, however, any organism that mates with an editor-carrying organism will become altered at the genomic position targeted by the editor, passing the altered version (called an allele) of the gene down to its own offspring. In this way, the technique mimics the natural genetic process of passing down genes and mutations, and can be used in a wider range of species than traditional gene drive approaches. "Imagine you have a big room of bouncing balls, most of them white but a few are red," says Bruce Hay, professor of biology and biological engineering. "Any time a red ball—the editor—bumps into a white ball, it turns the white ball pink—the edit. As the balls bounce around, over time, more and more of them turn pink."
Excess Lipids Keep Dengue at Bay
31315Shelby Bradford, The Scientist, 2024-09-03 15:36:36.
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 cases. “We are trying to go backwards now, because the intervention works, but we don’t know how,” said Robson Loterio, a microbiologist at the Burnet Institute and author of a paper published in mBio exploring the mechanism of Wolbachia’s antiviral activity. The findings can help researchers prevent viral escape from this biocontrol method. Loterio and his team infected A. aegypti cells with antiviral Wolbachia strains. Using transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy, they showed that these bacteria predominantly clustered at the cell’s endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER produces molecules used in lipid droplet synthesis. Since both Wolbachia and dengue rely on lipid metabolism, the team investigated the effect of Wolbachia on droplet formation during viral infection by comparing antiviral Wolbachia-infected cells to Wolbachia-free cells. Lipid droplets accumulated in both types of cells, but cells with the bacteria had more lipid accumulation.
What if GM mosquitoes could help limit the tiger mosquito population?
31311Anonymous, All News Press, 2024-09-03 15:23:03.
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 Molecular and Cellular Biology (CNRS) in Strasbourgoffers some hope. This fundamental biology researcher explains to 20 Minutes that thanks to Crispr/Cas9 molecular scissors it is possible to cut DNA at a specific location to create a transgenic mosquito. This will either transform female tiger mosquitoes into males or make their offspring sterile. To sort the insects thus modified, they are made fluorescent in the laboratory. An update on this work, funded for at least four years by the national research agency and which could make headlines in the coming years. Genetic engineering, or the idea of using genetic elements to modify the characteristics of mosquitoes, dates back to the 1960s. But at the time, there were no tools at all to carry it out in the laboratory. It was in 2012, with the discovery of the Crispr/Cas9 molecular scissors, which earned Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, that its application was truly made possible. It involves artificially producing a guide RNA (as exists in nature) and thus directing the Cas9 protein to a chosen DNA sequence within the desired genome.
Scientists want to use mosquito stomach bacteria to end malaria
31201Chia-Yu Chen & Shüné Oliver, Alliance for Science, 2024-08-27 14:05:18.
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 African countries. The World Health Organization estimated there were over 10 million cases of malaria in Mozambique in 2022. South Africa, that country’s neighbor, recorded 5,183 malaria cases between September 2022 and August 2023. Its relatively low case numbers may be a result of South African health authorities’ excellent work in controlling the disease (control efforts began more than 120 years ago). The last major malaria outbreak in South Africa was in 2000, when more than 60,000 cases were recorded. Also notable was the 2017 outbreak, with 28,264 cases. This combination of control efforts and low numbers may mean that South Africans think malaria is not something they need to worry about unless they travel to provincial hotspots in the months of September to May. But it remains a disease of concern – not just within the country’s borders, but in the broader southern African region. Many researchers like ourselves are working towards eliminating or even, one day, totally eradicating the disease. “Elimination” doesn’t mean there will be no malaria in the region at all. Instead, it would mean that local mosquitoes no longer spread the disease in South Africa. The reason that South Africa has not fully eliminated malaria is precisely because its local mosquito populations are still transmitting the disease. In fact, in 2023, about 17 percent of people who got sick from malaria had caught it in South Africa and not from travelling to neighboring African countries. Scientists are using and developing many different “weapons” in the fight against malaria. Our approach involves using mosquitoes’ own gut bacteria to prevent them from spreading malaria. This is a form of biocontrol, which involves the use of living organisms or natural substances to control harmful pests. The groundwork we’re laying with this ongoing research will, we believe, allow us and other scientists to create a powerful malaria-beating tool.
Malaria & Dengue; distinguishing mosquito-borne diseases
31178Grace Matheka, HapaKenya, 2024-08-25 20:26:45.
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 mosquitoes and cause severe illness in humans. The two diseases have some similarities, and mosquito species are often confused by patients and medical personnel. Malaria is a leading cause of death in the world, with 200 million cases reported every year worldwide, leading to 600,000 deaths. Most of these deaths happen in Africa, affecting children and pregnant women most. In 2022, WHO reported that Africa was home to 94% of malaria cases at 233 million and 95% at 580 000 of malaria deaths. Children under five accounted for about 78% of all malaria deaths.
Could X Centromeric Drive Underpin PCOS, Miscarriage and Other Age-Related Reproductive Issues?
31176Rhianna-lily Smith, Technology Networks, 2024-08-25 20:13:11.
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 commonality, the underlying causes of the condition remain poorly understood. Dr. Tom Moore, a principal investigator in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at University College Cork, has proposed a new hypothesis that may explain why human female reproduction is prone to multiple disorders. The X chromosome’s involvement in meiotic drive mechanisms could be a key factor in understanding why certain reproductive disorders are so common and persistent. Meiotic drive refers to a genetic phenomenon where certain genes manipulate the process of meiosis to increase their transmission to the next generation, often at the expense of other genes. In normal meiosis, genes have a 50% chance of being passed on to offspring, but meiotic drive skews this process, allowing "selfish" genes to be inherited more frequently than would be expected by chance. Due to genetic hitchhiking, this can introduce traits that may have detrimental effects on individual fitness. Antagonistic selection is an evolutionary concept where a genetic trait, which is beneficial in one context but harmful in another, may be passed on to a future generation. This typically occurs when a gene has different effects at different stages of life or under different environmental conditions. In the context of human evolution, antagonistic selection can help explain why certain reproductive disorders, like PCOS, might persist.
Genetically Modified Wolbachia mosquitoes help reduce virus transmission
31461Precision Vaccinations, 2024-08-20 10:33:21.
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, Zika, and yellow fever. While some diseases can be prevented with innovative travel vaccines, some can not. This is why the World Mosquito Program exists today. According to the World Mosquito Program, the Wolbachia method is vital in fighting mosquito-borne diseases and protecting communities worldwide. This program can reduce the number of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. When male Ae. aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia mate with wild female mosquitoes that do not have Wolbachia. The eggs will not hatch. Because the eggs don't hatch, the number of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes decreases. They do this by breeding with wild mosquitoes until, over several generations, they replace the local mosquito population. This means Wolbachia mosquitoes help decrease the risk of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever outbreaks. The World Mosquito Program is currently operating in 13 countries—Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Honduras, Laos, Vietnam, Kiribati, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Mexico—and protects more than 11.4 million people. In the United States, communities in Texas, Florida, and California have released mosquitoes with Wolbachia over the past seven years and a significant decrease in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes have been reported. In 2023, the state of Hawaiʻi also launched a Wolbachia program. Most importantly, the U.S. CDC says no data suggests that Wolbachia bacteria harm people, animals, or the environment. Let's hope locally-acquired chikungunya, dengue, and malaria cases soon become distant memories as disease-carrying mosquitos disappear.
Scientists’ novel technology to conserve mosquitoes
31459Milliam Murigi, People Daily, 2024-08-20 09:24:48.
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 approach promises to eliminate malaria one of the diseases that is transmitted by mosquitos without harming the mosquito population a crucial aspect that could make this solution both effective and environmentally sustainable. “Gene drives have been successfully tested in laboratory settings to reduce mosquito fertility and spread resistance genes against the malaria parasite. There are field trials and pilot studies underway to test the effectiveness and safety of gene drives in real-world environments,” says Dr Willy Tonui. Tonui, the Chairman and Executive Director at Environmental Health Safety (EHS Consultancy Ltd) also doubles up as the Founder and Head of the Secretariat at the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium.
New genetic editing technique can modify wild populations with less risk
31062Macquarie University, Phys.org, 2024-08-14 09:44:13.
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 proposed a new technique that aims to address some of the regulatory challenges and public concerns associated with existing genetic modification methods. Lead author Dr. Maciej Maselko from Applied Biosciences at Macquarie University says the technique, called an Allele Sail, would allow beneficial genetic changes to spread through a population without leaving "foreign DNA" behind. "Allele Sail offers a way to change the traits and fates of wild populations in ways that may be more acceptable, as the genetically modified part is introduced at low frequencies and usually won't last forever," he says. Genetic engineering could address major global challenges by altering the genetic makeup of certain wild populations—for example, to combat mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, or stop the spread of environmentally harmful invasive pests like cane toads. But there is genuine public concern about introducing genetic modification into wild populations, and many regulatory constraints. People are worried that modified organisms could contain foreign DNA that cause unpredictable ecological consequences over time; they worry that engineered genes could spread to other species with unknown impacts on ecosystems; and they also fear that once genetic modifications are introduced, they may not be able to be reversed. Traditional methods of genetic modification can also see a rapid spread of engineered genes within a population, raising both ecological and ethical questions. In response, many regulatory frameworks have been introduced to address genetic modification, presenting further challenges.
Researchers develop plant gene drive system for enhanced trait inheritance
30961Anonymous, Scientific Inquirer, 2024-07-25 20:23:52.
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, according to the researchers, uses a toxin-antidote mechanism in the male germline to override Mendelian inheritance in plants. Their findings were published in Nature Plants. In nature, gene inheritance typically follows Mendel’s laws, which provide an equal chance for alleles to pass on to the next generation—a cornerstone of Darwinian natural selection. However, super-Mendelian inheritance allows certain genes to be inherited at rates greater than the expected 50%, potentially allowing these genes to spread through populations even if they are detrimental to organisms. This mechanism opens the door to manipulating natural populations by introducing alleles that benefit humans even if they harm plant organisms themselves, or to eliminating species that are considered detrimental to human interests.
Mosquitoes On The Run Due To Wolbachia Programmes.
30949Anonymous, St Kitts and Nevis Observer, 2024-07-25 18:53:51.
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 Progam is reporting considerable success in reducing mosquito born diseases like Dengue and reporting remarkable results from countries such as Colombia and El Salvador by using something called the Wolbachia method. What is this? Wolbachia are safe, naturally occurring bacteria present in up to 50% of species, including some mosquitoes. Wolbachia has evolved to live inside the cells of many insect species. It has maintained this lifestyle for tens of thousands of years. Wolbachia cannot survive outside of insect cells because it does not have the necessary machinery to replicate itself without help from the insect host. This means Wolbachia cannot survive in the environment (e.g. the air or soil). Wolbachia is not a virus or a parasite. It is not a “gene drive”. Wolbachia has never been genetically modified by scientists. However, Wolbachia is not usually found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary species responsible for transmitting viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and epidemic yellow fever.
Chinese researchers make genetic breakthrough that could change the future of agriculture: ‘Powerful and transformative strategy’
30945Jeremiah Budin, The Cool Down, 2024-07-25 18:38:42.
Chinese scientists have reportedly engineered a way to use gene-editing technology to bypass natural plant behavior and force crops to inherit genes that will make them more resilient and easier to grow, according to Interesting Engineering. "The genetic manipulation of wild plant populations has emerged as a potentially powerful and transformative strategy," the researchers said. The technique involves using CRISPR gene-editing technology to bypass traditional Mendelian inheritance — the process by which genes are passed down through generations — to breed plants with "ideal" genes. The system is known as CRISPR-Assisted Inheritance, or CAIN. "This gene drive-based approach thus seeks to balance crop protection and environmental considerations to minimise the loss of biodiversity while optimising productivity," the researchers wrote. "As we venture into this new frontier in genetic engineering, [CAIN] and other gene drive systems could reshape ecological management and agricultural practices."
Gene Drives Shown to Work in Wild Plants. They Could Wipe Out Weeds.
30936Shelly Fan, Singularity Hub, 2024-07-24 15:57:21.
Henry Grabar has had enough battling knotweed. All he wanted was to build a small garden in Brooklyn—a bit of peace amid the cacophony of city life. But a plant with beet-red leaves soon took over his nascent garden. The fastest growing plant he’d ever seen, it could sprout up to 10 feet high and grow thick as a cornfield. Even with herbicide, it was nearly impossible to kill. Invasive plant species and weeds don’t just ruin backyard gardens. Weeds decrease crop yields at an average annual cost of $33 billion, and control measures can rack up $6 billion more. Herbicides are a defense, but they have their own baggage. Weeds rapidly build resistance against the chemicals, and the resulting produce can be a hard sell for many consumers. Weeds often seem to have the upper hand. Can we take it away? Two recent studies say yes. Using a technology called a synthetic gene drive, the teams spliced genetic snippets into a mustard plant popular in lab studies. Previously validated in fruit flies, mosquitoes, and mice, gene drives break the rules of inheritance, allowing “selfish” genes to rapidly spread across entire species. But making gene drives work in plants has been a headache, in part due to the way they repair their DNA. The new studies found a clever workaround, leading to roughly 99 percent propagation of a synthetic genetic payload to subsequent generations, in contrast to nature’s 50 percent. Computer models suggest the gene drives could spread throughout an entire population of the plant in roughly 10 to 30 generations. Overriding natural evolution, gene drives could add genes that make weeds more vulnerable to herbicides or reduce their pollination and numbers. Beneficial genes can also spread across crops—essentially fast-tracking the practice of cross-breeding for desirable traits.
Former minister wants modified mosquitoes to fight dengue spread
30933Otto Carrington, Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 2024-07-24 15:53:02.
With this country reporting more dengue cases this year than last year and two dengue deaths reported so far, former health minister Dr Fuad Khan is urging the Government to consider genetically modified mosquitoes to help fight the spread of the disease. Khan, who served as Health Minister for one term, proposed in 2011 that genetically modified (GM) male mosquitoes, which have been successfully used in other countries to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (which cause dengue fever), could be a solution. However, this project never materialised. Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew, Khan again suggested that genetically modified male mosquitoes could be effectively used. “I think that should be looked at again because it has been used successfully in Brazil and Florida.Genetically modified male mosquitoes breeding with female Aedes aegypti is an approach we need to consider. It’s important to find a scientific method to deal with these mosquitoes,” Khan said. He also called for updated legislation to ensure that people are mandated to keep their surroundings clean. He said if they fail to do so, they should be penalised. “It’s crucial to find a scientific way to manage Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Breeding grounds are straightforward. Everyone should maintain their surroundings, and there should be legislation enforcing this. If the insect vector control team finds that you’re not complying with warnings to clean your yard, you’re endangering public safety,” he stated. Khan added, “Spraying doesn’t work effectively because the breeding ground for mosquitoes is in stagnant water and drains. When you spray, you might kill the mosquitoes flying around temporarily, but you don’t address the larvae in the water. Spraying only kills what’s on the surface.”
FILMS: Gene drive mosquitoes for malaria control
30894Sarah Hartley and Tom Law, Gene Drive Governance, 2024-07-09 08:50:21.
Gene drive mosquitoes for malaria control is a short documentary film that is beautifully shot in Uganda and explores Ugandan stakeholders’ hopes for gene drive mosquitoes – a radical new tool that offers a way to eliminate or change the mosquitoes that cause malaria. Uganda is one of the first countries in the world preparing for field trials for gene drive mosquitoes and malaria is the main cause of death in Uganda, so the stakes are high. The film builds on social science research at the University of Exeter in the UK and Makerere University in Uganda and shows how complex it is to govern gene drive.
Re-engineering cancerous tumors to self-destruct and kill drug-resistant cells
30884Pennsylvania State University, Medical Xpress, 2024-07-07 21:20:02.
Treating cancer can sometimes feel like a game of Whac-A-Mole. The disease can become resistant to treatment, and clinicians never know when, where and what resistance might emerge, leaving them one step behind. But a team led by Penn State researchers has found a way to reprogram disease evolution and design tumors that are easier to treat. They created a modular genetic circuit that turns cancer cells into a "Trojan horse," causing them to self-destruct and kill nearby drug-resistant cancer cells. Tested in human cell lines and in mice as proof of concept, the circuit outsmarted a wide range of resistance. The findings were published today, July 4, in the journal Nature Biotechnology. The researchers also filed a provisional application to patent the technology described in the paper. "This idea was born out of frustration. We're not doing a bad job of developing new therapeutics to treat cancer but how can we think about potential cures for more late-stage cancers?" said Justin Pritchard, Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Entrepreneurial Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and senior author on the paper. "Selection gene drives are a powerful new paradigm for evolution-guided anticancer therapy. I love the idea that we can use a tumor's inevitability of evolution against it."
New Global Malaria Programme operational strategy calls to accelerate the development and introduction of new tools
30874Lodney Nazaré, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024-07-02 12:43:13.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its Global Malaria Programme operational strategy 2024–2030. The document builds on the previously adopted Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, and sets out priorities and key activities needed to support achievement of its ambitious goals. Progress in the fight against malaria has stalled in recent years, and the world is currently off track to meet the GTS 2030 targets. The new operational strategy recognizes that a “business as usual” approach to malaria will not be enough and that “changing the trajectory of current malaria trends will require urgent and concerted efforts across the malaria ecosystem”. Progress has particularly levelled-off in high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where young children and pregnant women living in poverty are most vulnerable. Existing interventions and tools are facing the risk of reduced effectiveness due to quality concerns and biological threats, such as drug and insecticide resistance. These threats are compounded by funding shortfalls and the impacts of climate change, which is affecting the geographical range, seasonality and transmission of malaria.
99% gene transmission possible, China’s CRISPR tool boosts food security
30872Gairika Mitra, Interesting Engineering, 2024-07-02 12:36:50.
Chinese scientists have engineered a solution by which they could bypass natural plant gene inheritance. They aim to deploy a CRISPR-based gene editing system to help the transmission of preferred genes even when they aren’t suitable for a plant. The scientists devised a system that would use both a toxin and an antidote which would directly affect the male plant germline. Through this process, the researchers could overcome the natural Mendelian transmission rate. This can help increase the gene transmission rates up to 99% over two generations.
Chinese scientists find natural selection loophole that could help transform food security
30867Victoria Bela, South China Morning Post, 2024-07-02 12:29:51.
Scientists in China have found a way to bypass natural plant gene inheritance, by using a CRISPR-based gene editing system to boost the transmission of preferred genes even when they are detrimental to a plant. By harnessing a system that uses both a toxin and an antidote to target the male plant germline, the scientists were able to overcome the natural Mendelian transmission rate, achieving gene transmission rates of up to 99 per cent over two generations. “Facing diverse challenges such as threats to food security from agricultural weeds and the environmental crisis of invasive plants, the genetic manipulation of wild plant populations has emerged as a potentially powerful and transformative strategy,” the team wrote in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Plants on Monday.
The race against time to defeat mosquito-borne diseases
30858Michael Peel, Financial Times, 2024-06-28 15:51:06.
Deep in the bowels of Imperial College London’s main campus is a facility known as the insectary. The journey to it, via basement corridors and an entrance that sounds an alarm upon opening, feels like something out of a horror film. Beyond two sets of double doors lies the reason for the security: thousands of the Anopheles mosquito that has long been humanity’s deadliest animal threat. The insects in these temperature-controlled chambers are central to pioneering efforts to use genetic engineering to stop them passing on life-threatening malaria. Federica Bernardini, a research associate, places a hand close to the white mesh sides of a box housing the biting bugs. “I am not going to put it there for long,” Bernardini says, quickly pulling back from the tiny creatures. The Imperial work is part of a global struggle against the intensifying threat of mosquitoes and the destructive pathogens they carry. The first malaria vaccination campaign is being rolled out this year, while researchers are exploring ways to stem disease that are both ingenious and — in the case of genetic engineering — controversial to some. It is part of a wider public health battle against various infectious diseases that have surged in recent years due to environmental change, the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors. The mosquito campaign is a race against the clock. The insects are becoming more resistant to traditional prevention methods, while the climate crisis has opened up new regions where they can thrive.
A New CRISPR-Driven Technology for Gene Drive in Plants
30849Lori Dajose, CalTech, 2024-06-28 11:49:31.
Spreading a specific genetic trait through a population, even if that trait does not benefit those who carry it, is the purpose of a "gene drive." Gene drives can be used for many different applications. These are divided into two broad categories: population modification and population suppression. Population modification can make mosquitos immune to, and therefore unable to spread, malaria, or make a crop more heat-tolerant in anticipation of climate change. Population suppression can be used to bring about local reduction or elimination of a weed or invasive species. But any gene editing program needs to have strict built-in controls to keep the modifications localized to a specific area and to prevent other species from accidentally inheriting modified genes. Now, Caltech researchers have developed a new gene drive technology, called ClvR (pronounced "cleaver"), that can be specifically customized to plant species, preventing accidental gene editing in cross-pollination situations. Crucially, the technology can be designed to be self-limiting, only spreading the desired genes for a limited number of generations, thereby limiting their spread in time and space. The work is the first engineered gene drive in plants and the first to enable species-specific modification as well as the first to act at the level of plant sex cells.
First synthetic gene drive for plants could help eradicate weeds
30846Erik Stokstad, Science, 2024-06-28 11:39:25.
More than a decade ago, a research group used the genome editor CRISPR to put evolution on fast forward, spurring a gene to spread throughout a population of lab-reared fruit flies many times faster than it normally could in nature. Mosquitoes with CRISPR-based “gene drives” came soon after, then mice a few years later—advances that brought a fraught mix of technological promise and ethical complexity. Proponents tout gene drives as a way to prevent insect-borne diseases, wipe out rats and other invasive creatures, and even help prevent extinction of endangered species. But one set of organisms had stood apart from the excitement: plants. Now, geneticists report that synthetic gene drives can work in flora, too. Circumventing a long-standing hurdle, two teams have independently engineered Arabidopsis thaliana, a small mustard popular for lab work, to carry a genetic payload that is inherited by up to 99% of offspring. Modeling suggests a similar gene could permeate a natural plant population in 10 to 30 generations. “What they’ve achieved is pretty amazing,” says Paul Neve, a weed scientist at the University of Copenhagen. “It is clever and innovative.”
Genetically modified mosquitoes to fight malaria
30493The Naked Scientists, 2024-06-04 17:15:48.
Genetically engineered mosquitoes are taking to the air in an experiment to attempt to curtail malaria in Djibouti. The tiny African nation all but eliminated malaria just over a decade ago. But rising population and urbanisation has seen disease cases skyrocketing again, making it an ideal venue to test the technology, which uses a genetic trick to kill off selectively female mosquitoes; this leaves the males - which don’t bite humans - unharmed to breed and pass on the trait to other members of the species.
Investigating the ecological role of malaria mosquitoes
30358Talya D. Hackett, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024-05-21 20:22:50.
A team of entomologists and ecologists at the University of Ghana have been working with colleagues from the University of Oxford and the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph on a groundbreaking project to investigate the potential ecological consequences of reducing the population of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. This research is a key part of our work at Target Malaria, a not-for-profit research consortium whose aim is to develop new tools to reduce malaria transmission. The “ecological observatory project” studies the ecological interactions between An.gambiae and other species in the local ecosystem, including its larval competitors and predators, adult predators, and plant species that it might visit for sugar meals. By collecting data on the community ecology surrounding these mosquitoes, we can predict the effect, if any, that reducing their numbers could have on the ecosystem.
Where gene drive fits into WHO’s new Global Malaria Programme operational strategy
30354Mouhamed Drabo, Target Malaria, 2024-05-21 19:35:24.
On the 23rd of April 2024, WHO published an updated operational strategy for its Global Malaria Programme for the years 2024-2030. The Global Malaria Programme was initially guided by a strategy intended to cover the years 2016-2030, which served as a framework and guide for efforts to reduce the global malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% within that period. Since then, a stall in progress has indicated that a different, more intensive approach needs to be taken. WHO’s updated operational strategy, notes that ‘In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million new cases of malaria worldwide, compared to 231 million in 2015.’, indicating that current efforts towards malaria elimination are not effective enough, and that the current framework, which was last revised in 2021, required for a new update.
EPA, USDA, and FDA to Clarify Overlapping Biotechnology Regulatory Frameworks
30347Alan J. Sachs, Jack B. Zietman, The National Law Review, 2024-05-21 18:51:44.
On May 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a joint plan to identify areas of ambiguity, gaps, or uncertainty in their coordinated regulation of biotechnology products. Consistent with a directive issued by President Biden in September 2022, the agencies’ plan identifies specific issues that each has either recently addressed or will work to address to promote such products’ safe use. President Biden’s executive order defined “biotechnology” as “technology that applies to or is enabled by life sciences innovation or product development.” Biotechnology products thus may include organisms (plants, animals, fungi, or microbes) developed through genetic engineering or manipulation, products derived from such organisms, and products produced via cell-free synthesis. These products may, in turn, be regulated under the overlapping statutory frameworks of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Federal Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA), Plant Pest Act (PPA), Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, and more. Therefore, close coordination between EPA, USDA, and FDA is essential to ensure effective and efficient regulation of biotechnology products.
Scientists use gut bacteria to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
29900CGTN, 2024-05-07 17:04:49.
Chinese scientists have developed a more natural strategy to prevent mosquito-borne diseases by changing insects' gut microbes, which might be used as an alternative to controversial experiments that see genetically-modified mosquitoes released in Florida. Mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and Zika, cause several potentially fatal human viral infections. Dengue viruses infect approximately 390 million each year globally. An epidemic survey over the past decade documented frequent dengue outbreaks in Xishuangbanna and Lincang, both in southwest China's Yunnan Province. But few have been reported in neighboring cities of Wenshan and Pu'er. The marked different prevalence stimulated the curiosity of researchers from Tsinghua University and the Yunnan Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Sciences.
Gene drive mosquitoes designed to eliminate malaria – but governance is complex, new film shows
29897Russell Parton, University of Exeter, 2024-05-07 16:59:05.
A radical new biotechnology could eliminate the mosquitoes that cause malaria, but in Uganda – where malaria is the leading cause of death – a lack of information and debate is undermining public debate on the issue. Professor Sarah Hartley’s new research documentary Gene Drive Mosquitoes for Malaria Control, which will be screened at Exeter Phoenix on 29 April, looks at this potentially game-changing technology through conversations with Ugandan stakeholders and explores the complexities of governance. Gene drive mosquitoes are being researched in Uganda by scientists at the Ugandan Virus Research Institute, and could soon be trialled in the wild – making Uganda one of the first countries to do so. Gene drive targets the particular genes in the malaria-transmitting female mosquito, making it unable to reproduce or transmit malaria. But unlike in other forms of genetic modification, the altered gene is inherited by more than 95% of offspring, which means the trait increases over time – allowing it to spread through a whole population. This means we could change the mosquito at a scale never seen before. Gene drive offers the possibility of controlling malaria, but the decision to release gene drive mosquitoes into the wild hinges not only on the science but on social, political and environmental issues and the support of the public.
How expensive it is to be poor Prof. Abdoulaye Diabaté inspires global action against malaria at TED2024
29894Realnews Magazine, 2024-05-07 16:49:13.
In a stirring address at TED2024, Prof. Abdoulaye Diabaté, Head of Medical Entomology and Parasitology at the Research Institute in Health Sciences in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, and Principal Investigator of Target Malaria Burkina Faso, shared his journey with malaria and his resolute commitment to eradicating it. Prof. Diabaté’s talk shed light on the devastating toll of malaria, particularly in Africa, and stressed the urgent need for transformative solutions. “Malaria is tightly linked to poverty and it is incredibly expensive to be poor,” Prof. Diabaté said as he reflected on his childhood battle with the disease. “Two hundred million cases worldwide end up sadly every year with approximately 600 000 deaths. While this is a statistic to many, to me there is a personal, tragic story. Most of these deaths happen in Africa where children and pregnant women pay the highest price.” Prof. Diabaté’s firsthand experience highlights the profound impact of malaria on individuals and families, motivating his tireless efforts to end malaria in his lifetime. Target Malaria is an international research consortium of scientists, stakeholder engagement teams, risk assessment specialists, and communication and regulatory experts from Africa, North America and Europe, dedicated to eradicating malaria.
How could genetic approaches be integrated in the malaria toolkit?
29889Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024-05-07 16:29:20.
The Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research organized a symposium on the margins of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM Society)’s 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference held last week in Kigali, Rwanda. The event explored how novel genetic approaches could be integrated into the malaria toolkit and contribute to end malaria. I had the pleasure of participating in the Network’s symposium “Integrating genetic approaches in the malaria toolkit” as a panellist alongside Lucy Okell, Imperial College London and Isabelle Coche, Secretariat of the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research. The session was chaired by El Hadji Amadou Niang, Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA). Speakers discussed the potential of genetic approaches such as gene drive technologies to offer a sustainable, long term and cost-effective solution that could, in the context of integrated approaches to malaria control, contribute to the elimination of the disease. Presentations emphasized the need for collaboration, effective governance, multi-stakeholder engagement and strategic planning to support the effective integration of gene drive technologies into malaria control strategies.
To fend off aggressive female mosquitoes, L.A. is releasing thousands of sterile males
29882Evan Bush, NBC News, 2024-05-07 15:46:02.
In Los Angeles, those who wage war on mosquitoes are adding a weapon to their arsenal: more mosquitoes. The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District on Thursday launched a pilot program to release tens of thousands of irradiated, lab-raised mosquitoes into the local environment. These mosquitoes are all male and have been sterilized by the radiation, so the hope is that they will find wild female mates and impregnate them with dead-end sperm, rendering the resulting eggs worthless. The target is a particular species, Aedes aegypti. The insects, which began to populate Los Angeles County in 2014, have evolved to hone in on one thing — you. “Thousands of years ago, a strain of Aedes aegypti moved in close to people and started to specialize to live near houses and bite people,” said Daniel Hahn, a professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Entomology and Nematology. “They’re characterized as aggressive nuisance biters because they’ll bite you all day long.” Aedes Aegypti thrive in backyards and make their homes in small containers like bottle caps and dog bowls. They can carry worrisome diseases like yellow fever, Chikungunya, Zika and dengue. “We know our residents are suffering,” said Susanne Kluh, the general manager of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, which serves 6 million people and has more than 90 full-time staffers. The district on Thursday released about 20,000 sterile male mosquitoes, dyed to appear fluorescent under a black light, as part of its final pilot program test. Male Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes don’t bite, so experts say the program poses near-zero risk to humans.
African health ministers commit to concerted action to end malaria deaths
29556Felista Tarimo, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024-04-25 17:39:16.
On March 6, health ministers from African countries with the highest burden of malaria met in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and signed a declaration committing to the fundamental principle “that no one should die from malaria.” The Declaration for Accelerated Malaria Mortality Reduction in Africa signals a unified commitment to achieving a future free from malaria deaths on the continent. Despite advances made in the fight against the disease over the last two decades, the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region still accounts for over 90% of malaria cases and deaths worldwide. The 11 signatory countries to the document, which are classified as High burden High Impact (HBHI) countries — and include the United Republic of Tanzania, where I live and work — account alone for 70% of the global malaria burden. The declaration underscores the urgency of addressing several emerging and persistent challenges hindering progress in the fight against malaria, such as inadequate funding, growing biological threats — including insecticide and drug resistance — as well as low access to and insufficient quality of health services. It outlines a comprehensive plan built on four pillars: stronger political will, data-driven strategies, best practices in action, and multisectoral collaboration. Central to the Yaoundé Declaration is Point 6, which emphasizes the pivotal role of research and innovation in the quest to end malaria deaths. The fight against malaria requires constant adaptation, and this declaration acknowledges the importance of developing new tools and technologies specifically tailored to the high-burden African context. The focus on research and innovation aligns perfectly with our work at Transmission Zero. Our international research programme — that brings together collaborators from several institutions in Tanzania, the United Kingdom and Switzerland — is working to develop new genetic technologies which could reduce malaria transmission by disrupting mosquitoes’ ability to transmit the malaria parasite to humans. If proven safe and effective, this approach could complement existing tools to achieve the vision of a world free from malaria.
Genetically modified mosquitoes could one day end malaria
29553Alexis Akwagyiram, Semafor, 2024-04-25 17:31:43.
Abdoulaye Diabaté, a scientist from Burkina Faso, is at the vanguard of efforts to eliminate malaria by editing the genetic makeup of male mosquitoes and releasing them in the wild to prevent the reproduction of female mosquito species that transmit malaria. The technique is known as “gene drive” technology. Malaria kills more than 600,000 people every year, most of whom are children in Africa. Research by Diabaté, who heads medical entomology and parasitology at Burkina Faso’s Research Institute in Health Sciences, earned him the 2023 Falling Walls Prize for Science and Innovation Management. He spoke to Semafor Africa ahead of a Ted Talk on ending malaria. Gene drive offers great promises as a vector control tool. The fact that it is self-sustaining, meaning that a relatively small release of modified mosquitoes are able to spread within a population and induce suppression. It allows targeting a large area in a cost effective and self-sustaining manner, reaching areas that are difficult to control with conventional methods.
Group trains Nigerian journalists on “gene drives” controversies
29550Tosin Omoniyi, Premium Times, 2024-04-25 17:23:47.
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) held a training for Nigerian journalists on the controversies surrounding the ‘gene drives’ research organisations that allegedly target Africans as “guinea pigs.” The training, the organisers said, was aimed at equipping journalists to understand the issues and be able to report the controversies robustly. The Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, in his opening remarks, said in conceiving the training, the organisation realised that the media is key not only in keeping the public informed but also in “exposing and interrogating initiatives and innovations that are extraneous to Africans and African culture as part of its watchdog role”. Gene drive is a technology that allows a chosen set of genes to alter an animal’s biology in certain ways, such as making them produce sterile offspring. The inability to reproduce then sweeps through a population, upending the “laws of inheritance.” Specifically, the genes copy themselves exponentially from generation to generation, rapidly coming to dominate the whole population. Potentially, scientists argue that their careful use might save millions of lives by making, for instance, mosquitoes unable to transmit malaria or by eliminating the insects entirely. The possibility of a definitive solution to major infectious diseases makes a compelling case for such a technology.
Bacteria found in mosquito guts could help scientists fight dengue, Zika
29548Catherine Offord, Science, 2024-04-25 17:12:41.
A team in China probing the guts of local mosquitoes has found a potential helper in the fight against two human diseases. Researchers identified a new bacterium that disables the viruses responsible for dengue and Zika before they can establish an infection in the insects. Although early stage, the work, reported this week in Science, paves the way for studying the bacterium’s effect on disease transmission in the real world. It wouldn’t be the first time a microbe is used to thwart mosquito-borne diseases. About 15 years ago, researchers discovered that a different bacterium, Wolbachia, reduces the insects’ ability to transmit dengue, among other viruses. Following successful field trials, Wolbachia is now used to help control dengue in more than a dozen countries. But an extra weapon to help control mosquito-borne diseases is welcome—especially as the insects become resistant to current insecticides. The new study is “promising,” says Nsa Dada, a vector biologist at Arizona State University who was not involved in the work. “It’s important that we explore … new tools that can complement existing control measures.” Lacking proven treatments or widely available vaccines, dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide, infecting some 400 million people each year. Although most cases are mild or asymptomatic, about one in 20 people who get sick develop severe dengue, which can be fatal.
Bacterial warriors fight mosquito-borne diseases
29114Alejandra Manjarrez, Drug Discovery News, 2024-04-16 21:12:48.
Every time a mosquito bites a person, multiple feasts take place. As in most animals, a meal provides nutrients to the mosquito as well as to the troop of bacteria that inhabits its gut. Occasionally, the mosquito may also ingest a parasite: a Plasmodium protozoan responsible for malaria in humans, or an arbovirus, which can cause dengue, chikungunya, Zika, or yellow fever. The pathogen is just along for the ride, but those first hours after being ingested are crucial for its survival. The parasite develops in the insect’s midgut lumen, and any interference during this period may hamper its future survival and transmission. When the mosquito ingests blood, the number of bacteria in its midgut increases dramatically. “That’s easy to understand because they use the nutrients of the blood to multiply,” noted Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena, a malaria researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “You have a few parasites surrounded by a huge number of bacteria.” These bacteria become promising targets for intervening in the development of parasites during their most vulnerable stages, either by competing for resources or directly attacking the threat. In the ongoing battle against mosquito-borne diseases that kill more than a million people each year, scientists like Jacobs-Lorena increasingly turn to mosquito microbiota as allies in disease prevention (1). Delving into the guts and other bacteria-inhabited parts of mosquitoes is beginning to bear fruit. The performance of these bacteria in laboratory and semi-field experiments is promising. Releasing mosquitoes armed with a virus-fighting bacterium in cities affected by dengue significantly decreased its incidence in those locations. While these interventions don’t offer a silver bullet against mosquito-borne diseases, they appear to be a game-changer in the fight against those deadly parasites.
Africa’s Champion Against Malaria, Professor Abdoulaye Diabaté on stage at TED2024
29112Nelly Gachanja, African Media Agency, 2024-04-16 21:07:37.
TED2024, a hallmark event celebrating 40 years of innovation, ingenuity, creativity, courage, and generosity, taking place in Vancouver, Canada from 15-19 April, will feature Africa’s esteemed, and leading champion against malaria, Prof. Abdoulaye Diabaté as a speaker. In his Talk, titled “How to End Malaria”, Prof. Diabaté aims to catalyse transformative change in global health. Hailing from Burkina Faso, Prof. Diabaté is Head of Medical Entomology and Parasitology at the Research Institute in Health Sciences (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé – IRSS), in Bobo-Dioulasso. His acclaimed research work as Principal Investigator of Target Malaria Burkina Faso has earned him global recognition, including prestigious speaking engagements at Harvard University, interviews by several prestigious international and national media, including the CNN, BBC, Netflix, The New York Times, the National TV channels of Burkina Faso. Prof. Diabaté was recently honoured as one of the 10 global winners of the esteemed Falling Walls Science and Innovation Prize 2023. This recognition underscores his pioneering efforts in eradicating malaria through innovative gene drive mosquito technology, which holds the promise of being a self-sustaining and cost-effective method to reduce the population of malaria mosquitoes – offering hope to millions worldwide.
African researchers committed to ending malaria
29075African Media Agency, 2024-04-02 19:38:40.
The need to encourage more young African girls to pursue careers in science cannot be overemphasized.
Biotech company implements controversial offspring-killing method to address dengue fever: ‘Will show a reduction of 20%’
29069Jeremiah Budin, The Cool Down, 2024-04-02 11:44:22.
"We can get out of this state of emergency."
Uganda and Djibouti seek Friendly mosquitoes to fight malaria
29066Richard Wetaya, Alliance for Science, 2024-04-02 11:40:33.
According to Oxitec CEO Grey Frandsen, the Friendly technology platform was ideally equipped to produce a safe, sustainable solution to manage the Anopheles stephensi mosquito vector based on years of experience creating and deploying other Oxitec solutions at scale.
Researchers reveal how a virus hijacks insect sperm: May help control disease vectors and pests
29043Pennsylvania State University, Phys.org, 2024-03-19 17:39:54.
A new study led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered how a widespread bacteria called Wolbachia and a virus that it carries can cause sterility in male insects by hijacking their sperm.
