Article
Entomology
Georgios D. Mastronikolos, Apostolos Kapranas, George K. Balatsos, Charalampos Ioannou, Dimitrios P. Papachristos, Panagiotis G. Milonas, Arianna Puggioli, Igor Pajovic, Dusan Petric, Romeo Bellini, Antonios Michaelakis, Nikos T. Papadopoulos
Summary: Genetic based mosquito control methods have the potential to effectively suppress or replace vector populations without causing environmental damage or public health risks. The quality of sterilized male mosquitoes is crucial for the success of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) control programs. Transportation, especially for long durations, can negatively impact the performance of sterilized males and needs to be carefully managed.
Article
Biology
Y. Dumont, I. V. Yatat-Djeumen
Summary: The sterile insect technique (SIT) can control disease vectors by releasing sterile males, but it is important to consider the impact of unintentionally released sterile females. Developing an entomological-epidemiological model is crucial for studying the effectiveness of SIT control strategies. Massive releases can be effective in controlling wild populations, but the timing and scale of releases should be carefully considered.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Doaa M. Fawzy, A. Elsaid, W. K. Zahra, Ayman A. Arafa
Summary: This study proposes a non-smooth Filippov model to examine the interaction between wild and sterile mosquitoes. By simulating the conditions for releasing sterile mosquitoes and adjusting model parameters such as the threshold value, our findings suggest that lowering the threshold value to an appropriate level can enhance the control of wild mosquitoes, and employing SIT with a threshold policy control can improve economic outcomes while inhibiting disease spread.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lea Douchet, Marion Haramboure, Thierry Baldet, Gregory L. Ambert, David Damiens, Louis Clement Gouagna, Jeremy Bouyer, Pierrick Labbe, Annelise Tran
Summary: The study extended a weather-dependent model of Aedes albopictus population dynamics to assess the effectiveness of different vector control methods in tropical and temperate climates. The results confirmed the potential efficiency of SIT in temperate climates when performed early in the year, while a combination of methods showed more relevance in tropical climates.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Carlos Tur, David Almenar, Sandra Benlloch-Navarro, Rafael Argiles-Herrero, Mario Zacares, Vicente Dalmau, Ignacio Pla
Summary: Aedes albopictus, responsible for transmitting diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, is being controlled through the sterile insect technique (SIT) in a pilot project in Spain. The evaluation of irradiated males and quality control parameters in rearing activities are essential for a successful integrated vector management program. This study highlights the potential of SIT as an effective, environmentally friendly control tool against mosquito populations.
Article
Entomology
Edwin Ramirez-Santos, Pedro Rendon, Georgia Gouvi, Antigone Zacharopoulou, Kostas Bourtzis, Carlos Caceres, Kenneth Bloem
Summary: The study documents the development and characterization of a new genetic sexing strain (GSS) for A. ludens to enhance the efficacy of the sterile insect technique (SIT) against this pest species.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq, Danilo O. Carvalho, Lucia Duran de la Fuente, Antonios A. Augustinos, Kostas Bourtzis
Summary: The introduction of the Ae. aegypti red-eye genetic sexing strain (GSS) and recombination suppressing inversion (Inv35) into the Pakistani genomic background was evaluated. The sexing features and recombination suppression properties were not affected, but some biological traits of the newly constructed strains were affected. Quality control analysis is necessary before applying GSS in sterile insect technique (SIT) field trials or applications.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Robin S. Waples, Pierre Feutry
Summary: Research has found that genetic methods and close-kin mark-recapture methods differ in estimating population size, but combining the two can provide a better assessment of both ecological and evolutionary processes.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Carlos Tur, David Almenar, Mario Zacares, Sandra Benlloch-Navarro, Ignacio Pla, Vicente Dalmau
Summary: The distribution of Aedes albopictus has expanded globally in recent years, increasing the risk of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, which are transmitted by this mosquito species. The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been proposed as an effective method for controlling mosquito populations, and it has been tested in a non-isolated urban area, resulting in a significant reduction in female mosquitoes and eggs. This study analyzes the impact of wild mosquito migration from peri-urban areas to urban cores.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Antonios A. Augustinos, Katerina Nikolouli, Lucia Duran de la Fuente, Muhammad Misbah-ul-Haq, Danilo O. Carvalho, Kostas Bourtzis
Summary: This study investigates the effect of genomic background on the efficiency of the sterile insect technique (SIT) using Ae. aegypti genetic sexing strains (GSS). The results show that the genomic background does not negatively affect the inversion result, indicating that the key elements of the GSS can be introgressed into the local genomic background. This finding has implications for improving the application of SIT and addressing regulatory concerns.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fabrizio Balestrino, Jeremy Bouyer, Marc J. B. Vreysen, Eva Veronesi
Summary: Effective control strategies, such as the sterile insect technique, play a crucial role in preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases. However, current sex separation techniques for mosquito vectors are not completely effective, resulting in increased risk of disease transmission. This study examined the transmission of dengue and chikungunya viruses in two Aedes species exposed to irradiation, and found that irradiation did not impact transmission efficiency.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Carlos F. Marina, Pablo Liedo, J. Guillermo Bond, Adriana R. Osorio, Javier Valle, Roberto Angulo-Kladt, Yeudiel Gomez-Simuta, Ildefonso Fernandez-Salas, Ariane Dor, Trevor Williams
Summary: The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a method to reduce mosquito-transmitted diseases by releasing sterile male insects. In a pilot-scale trial in southern Mexico, it was found that the number of sterile males captured using ground release was higher compared to aerial release from a drone. However, the use of a drone for release was quicker, covered a larger area, and required fewer technicians. Future studies should focus on modifying handling and transport methods to improve the efficiency of aerial releases.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Lingtao Wei, Xiangyu Wang, Liang Li, Lu Yu, Zijun Liu
Summary: This study proposed a machine learning-based framework for monitoring the tire pressure of vehicles without the need for additional sensors. By extracting features, removing manufacturing errors, and analyzing signals, the framework can accurately judge the normal state and pressure loss of tires.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Avian V. White, Ming Fan, Jordan M. Mazzara, Rachel L. Roper, Stephanie L. Richards
Summary: The study revealed that Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue virus. Espirito Santo virus does not infect mammalian cells but inhibits dengue virus replication in mosquito cells.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yogita Sharma, Jared B. Bennett, Gordana Rasic, John M. Marshall
Summary: Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) methods have been used to infer demographic parameters for fish, and now extend to mosquitoes and comparable insects. CKMR utilizes genetic marking to estimate population size, dispersal distance, and other parameters without physical marking. Simulation studies using Aedes aegypti show that CKMR provides unbiased estimates of mosquito demographic parameters, and may be informative for intervention impacts. CKMR holds promise for characterizing the demography of insects of epidemiological and agricultural importance.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Liqin Zhou, Nina Alphey, Adam S. Walker, Laura M. Travers, Neil I. Morrison, Michael B. Bonsall, Ben Raymond
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Roya Elaine Haghighat-Khah, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Sanjay Basu, Oliver StJohn, Sarah Scaife, Sebald Verkuijl, Erica Lovett, Luke Alphey
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michelle E. Anderson, Jessica Mavica, Lewis Shackleford, Ilona Flis, Sophia Fochler, Sanjay Basu, Luke Alphey
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuejiao Xu, Jie Yang, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Yuping Huang, Muhammad Asad, Wei Chen, Weiyi He, Guang Yang, Luke Alphey, Minsheng You
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Priscilla Ying Lei Tng, Leonela Carabajal Paladino, Sebald Alexander Nkosana Verkuijl, Jessica Purcell, Andres Merits, Philip Thomas Leftwich, Rennos Fragkoudis, Rob Noad, Luke Alphey
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Laura Sandra Lello, Age Utt, Koen Bartholomeeusen, Sainan Wang, Kai Rausalu, Catherine Kendall, Sandra Coppens, Rennos Fragkoudis, Andrew Tuplin, Luke Alphey, Kevin K. Arien, Andres Merits
Article
Biology
Philip T. Leftwich, Lewis G. Spurgin, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Callum J. E. Thomas, Leonela Carabajal Paladino, Matthew P. Edgington, Luke Alphey
Summary: Genetic pest management involves releasing modified pest species to mate with wild pests, primarily used in public health, agriculture, and conservation. Hybrids may introduce DNA sequences but are generally harmless.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luke S. Alphey, Andrea Crisanti, Filippo (Fil) Randazzo, Omar S. Akbari
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman, Lewis Shackleford, Michelle A. E. Anderson, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Luke Alphey
Summary: Culex quinquefasciatus is a mosquito species distributing in tropical and subtropical area, vectoring various animal and human diseases. The current vector control methods are becoming ineffective, and the use of insecticides poses risks to human and ecosystem health. The use of CRISPR/Cas9 in genetic insect control is a promising approach, as demonstrated in successful gene knock-in in C. quinquefasciatus, providing a new tool for genetic control of this vector species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joshua Xin De Ang, Katherine Nevard, Rebekah Ireland, Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman, Sebald A. N. Verkuijl, Lewis Shackleford, Estela Gonzalez, Michelle A. E. Anderson, Luke Alphey
Summary: This study reports the effects of sequence mismatches and donor template forms on gene integration rates and infers the mechanism responsible for gene integration in this species. These findings will guide future construct designs for optimal homology-directed repair rates in mosquitoes.
Article
Virology
Liubov Cherkashchenko, Kai Rausalu, Sanjay Basu, Luke Alphey, Andres Merits
Summary: Alphaviruses, which are primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, induce resistance to superinfection in infected cells through the blockage of RNA replication. The replication proteins of alphaviruses, nsP1-4, are produced from nonstructural polyprotein precursors and are processed by the protease activity of nsP2. Studies on the effects of nsP2 on alphavirus RNA replication using trans-replicase systems and replicon vectors demonstrated that nsP2 reduces the RNA replicase activity of the homologous virus. This inhibitory effect is partially dependent on the protease active site of nsP2. Mutations in the replicase polyprotein that prevent its cleavage by nsP2 attenuate the negative effect of nsP2, indicating that nsP2-mediated inhibition of RNA replicase activity is primarily due to its protease activity. Moreover, co-expression of nsP2 also suppresses the replicase activity of heterologous alphaviruses. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying superinfection exclusion in alphaviruses and may facilitate the development of anti-alphavirus strategies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Priscilla Y. L. Tng, Leonela Z. Carabajal Paladino, Michelle A. E. Anderson, Zach N. Adelman, Rennos Fragkoudis, Rob Noad, Luke Alphey
Summary: Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the main vectors of mosquito-borne viruses, and this study investigates the use of small RNAs to inhibit the replication of chikungunya virus. The results show that short hairpin-like designs are more effective than microRNA-like designs in knocking down the expression of their targets, and this knockdown requires the presence of Dcr-2, indicating the involvement of the endo-siRNA pathway. These findings suggest the potential use of this system in transgenic mosquitoes.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tim Harvey-Samuel, Xuejiao Xu, Michelle. A. E. Anderson, Leonela. Z. Carabajal Paladino, Deepak Purusothaman, Victoria. C. Norman, Christine. M. Reitmayer, Minsheng You, Luke Alphey
Summary: This study elucidates the sex determination cascade in the globally important pest Plutella xylostella and highlights the role of retrotransposition events in the evolution of complex molecular cascades.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tim Harvey-Samuel, Thomas Ant, Jolene Sutton, Chris N. N. Niebuhr, Samoa Asigau, Patricia Parker, Steven Sinkins, Luke Alphey
Summary: Island endemic bird populations are highly vulnerable to population declines and extinctions due to the introduction of non-native pathogens, particularly avian malaria parasites, avian poxviruses, and West Nile virus transmitted by the invasive mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The expansion of Cx. quinquefasciatus populations in tropical and subtropical regions, including remote islands, has led to ecological disruptions and avian extinctions, such as in the Hawaiian Islands. Traditional control methods are often impractical, leading to a need for genetic control tools development, although limited progress has been made for Cx. quinquefasciatus compared to other mosquito species.
CABI AGRICULTURE & BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Nina Alphey, Michael B. Bonsall
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2018)