Article
Mathematics
Luis Almeida, Michel Duprez, Yannick Privat, Nicolas Vauchelet
Summary: This article studies the optimal release strategies for controlling disease transmission by using the sterile insect technique. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the results.
JOURNAL OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Ayman Ahmed, Patricia Pignatelli, Arwa Elaagip, Muzamil M. Abdel Hamid, Omnia Fateh Alrahman, David Weetman
Summary: Research has identified the emergence of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in eastern Sudan, suggesting potential distinct invasions from neighboring countries.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Franck Adama Yao, Abdoul-Azize Millogo, Patric Stephane Epopa, Ace North, Florian Noulin, Koulmaga Dao, Mouhamed Drabo, Charles Guissou, Souleymane Kekele, Moussa Namountougou, Robert Kossivi Ouedraogo, Lea Pare, Nourou Barry, Roger Sanou, Haida Wandaogo, Roch K. Dabire, Andrew McKemey, Frederic Tripet, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: The release of genetically-modified sterile mosquitoes shows potential for malaria control, but its effectiveness has not been tested in the field. This study demonstrates that genetically-modified mosquitoes have reduced survival and dispersal compared to wild-types. These findings provide crucial information for the development of more effective strains of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Pilate N. Kwi, Elvis E. Ewane, Marcel N. Moyeh, Livinus N. Tangi, Vincent N. Ntui, Francis Zeukeng, Denis D. Sofeu-Feugaing, Eric A. Achidi, Fidelis Cho-Ngwa, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Jude D. Bigoga, Tobias O. Apinjoh
Summary: The vectorial diversity, dynamics, and infectivity of mosquitoes in the slopes of Mount Cameroon vary across different seasons and altitudes, which has implications for malaria transmission and control.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Vincent Pommier de Santi, Bouh Abdi Khaireh, Thomas Chiniard, Bruno Pradines, Nicolas Taudon, Sebastien Larreche, Abdoulraouf Bourhan Mohamed, Franck de Laval, Franck Berger, Florian Gala, Madjid Mokrane, Nicolas Benoit, Lionel Malan, Abdoulilah Ahmed Abdi, Sebastien Briolant
Summary: Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in Djibouti are potentially causing a rise in malaria incidence by sharing breeding sites with Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Additionally, there is documented resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine in this country.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Priscille Barreaux, Hilary Ranson, Geraldine M. M. Foster, Philip J. J. McCall
Summary: The blood feeding behavior of female mosquitoes, which affects their ability to transmit malaria, is not well understood in the presence of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). This study examines how both insecticide resistant and susceptible mosquitoes interact with different types of nets while attempting to blood feed on a human arm. The results showed that ITNs did not effectively prevent host searching but significantly reduced blood feeding success and volume for all mosquitoes, although the resistant mosquitoes were able to compensate for the decrease by accelerating their rate of blood ingestion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biology
Tony Nolan
Summary: This article discusses the application of gene drive technology in controlling disease-transmitting mosquitoes. While some progress has been made, there are still barriers in technical development and field deployment.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Remote Sensing
Fahimeh Youssefi, Mohammad Javad Valadan Zoej, Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd, Alireza Borahani Dariane, Mehdi Khaki, Alireza Safdarinezhad
Summary: This study identifies high-risk depressions with the potential for Anopheles larval habitats by fusing remote sensing data with land-use and soil type maps, and creates a high-risk map of malaria based on these habitats.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Adrien Ickowicz, Scott D. Foster, Geoffrey R. Hosack, Keith R. Hayes
Summary: Reproductive containment provides a chance for staged-release genetic control strategies of malaria vectors. A model was developed to study the spread and persistence of genetically modified sterile male mosquitoes, with results indicating that they will remain localized and persist for a short duration.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Maria L. Kaiser, Oliver R. Wood, David Damiens, Basil D. Brooke, Lizette L. Koekemoer, Givemore Munhenga
Summary: This study estimated the population size of male Anopheles arabiensis and the dispersal of released males in a targeted area for a pilot sterile male release program. The results showed that the population size of An. arabiensis varied between 550 and 9500 males per hectare, depending on time of year, weather conditions, and method used. The average dispersal distance of marked males ranged from 58 to 86 meters, and marked males were found in swarms with wild males, indicating their ability to participate in mating swarms.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lateef. O. Busari, Haleemah O. Raheem, Zarat O. Iwalewa, Kamilu A. Fasasi, Monsuru A. Adeleke
Summary: The study evaluates the resistance and susceptibility of adult female Anopheles gambiae s. l., Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to four groups of insecticides and the distribution of their larval habitat within Osogbo metropolis. The results indicate that Anopheles gambiae s. l. shows the highest resistance to Permethrin, while Aedes aegypti exhibits highest resistance against OC-Control. The susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae s. l. and Culex quinquefasciatus to Pirimiphos-methyl and Aedes aegypti to Permethrin suggests the potential success of using these insecticides for vector control.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hamidou Maiga, Deng Lu, Wadaka Mamai, Nanwintoum Severin Bimbile Somda, Thomas Wallner, Mame Thierno Bakhoum, Odet Bueno Masso, Claudia Martina, Simran Singh Kotla, Hanano Yamada, Gustavo Salvador Herranz, Rafael Argiles Herrero, Chee Seng Chong, Cheong Huat Tan, Jeremy Bouyer
Summary: This study aims to standardize the use of a rapid quality control flight test device and provide affordable, practical quality control tools for successful implementation of the sterile insect technique. Factors such as tube color, lure and fan use, mosquito species, and mosquito age and density were found to significantly impact escape rates. A cheaper version of the device was also designed and validated.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bianca J. Moreno, Robert L. Aldridge, Seth C. Britch, Barbara E. Bayer, Jedidiah Kline, Daniel A. Hahn, Chao Chen, Kenneth J. Linthicum
Summary: This study outlines the process of using sterile males to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, covering production, separation, irradiation, and release stages. It also discusses procedural issues, program limitations, and future objectives.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Hamidou Maiga, Mame Thierno Bakhoum, Wadaka Mamai, Gorgui Diouf, Nanwintoum Severin Bimbile Somda, Thomas Wallner, Claudia Martina, Simran Singh Kotla, Odet Bueno Masso, Hanano Yamada, Bazoumana B. D. Sow, Assane Gueye Fall, Jeremy Bouyer
Summary: This study developed and assessed a novel method for long-distance shipments of sterile male mosquitoes from the laboratory to the field. The new mass transport protocol allowed the successful shipment of 50,000 sterile male mosquitoes for up to four days, maintaining good survival rates and flight ability. This novel system can be used worldwide for shipping sterile males for journeys of two to four days.
Article
Biology
Colin J. Carlson, Ellen Bannon, Emily Mendenhall, Timothy Newfield, Shweta Bansal
Summary: Facing climate change, tropical species are being displaced to higher latitudes and elevations. This study tracks the observed range limits of African malaria mosquito vectors and finds that their ranges have been shifting towards higher elevations and polewards. These shifts are consistent with recent climate change and may contribute to the spread of malaria into new areas.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qicheng Ma, Satyam P. Srivastav, Stephanie Gamez, Garg Dayama, Fabiana Feitosa-Suntheim, Edward Patterson, Rebecca M. Johnson, Erik M. Matson, Alexander S. Gold, Douglas E. Brackney, John H. Connor, Tonya M. Colpitts, Grant L. Hughes, Jason L. Rasgon, Tony Nolan, Omar S. Akbari, Nelson C. Lau
Summary: Mosquitoes exhibit little impact of viral infection on their health due to the RNA interference pathways generating antiviral siRNAs and piRNAs. An integrated mosquito small RNA genomics resource was developed to analyze viral and transposon small RNA profiles across different mosquito species, revealing a novel piRNA cluster locus and regular periodicity in piRNA biogenesis patterns coinciding with the expansion of Piwi pathway genes. The resource enables detection of cross talk between piRNA and siRNA populations in mosquito cells during virus infection.
Review
Biology
Tony Nolan
Summary: This article discusses the application of gene drive technology in controlling disease-transmitting mosquitoes. While some progress has been made, there are still barriers in technical development and field deployment.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Samantha M. O'Loughlin, Annie J. Forster, Silke Fuchs, Tania Dottorini, Tony Nolan, Andrea Crisanti, Austin Burt
Summary: The study identified a large number of conserved DNA sequences in Anopheles genomes with potential value for selecting and testing new targets for gene-drive modification in mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
W. Robert Shaw, Perrine Marcenac, Flaminia Catteruccia
Summary: Interactions between the Anopheles mosquito vector and Plasmodium parasites have significant implications for malaria transmission and vector control strategies.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew Hammond, Paola Pollegioni, Tania Persampieri, Ace North, Roxana Minuz, Alessandro Trusso, Alessandro Bucci, Kyros Kyrou, Ioanna Morianou, Alekos Simoni, Tony Nolan, Ruth Mueller, Andrea Crisanti
Summary: This study demonstrates the suppressive activity of a CRISPR-based gene-drive targeting the doublesex gene in Anopheles gambiae populations. The gene-drive element spreads rapidly through the populations, achieving full suppression within one year without inducing resistance. Approximate Bayesian computation allows for a more accurate prediction of gene-drive behavior in ecologically-relevant settings.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Charlotte Quinn, Amalia Anthousi, Charles Wondji, Tony Nolan
Summary: The use of CRISPR genome editing tools has enabled the successful implementation of transgenesis in many mosquito species that are vectors of human diseases, enhancing our understanding of their biology and paving the way for novel genetic control approaches. This technology may also be well suited for gene drives to work effectively in controlling mosquito populations.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Linda Grigoraki, Ruth Cowlishaw, Tony Nolan, Martin Donnelly, Gareth Lycett, Hilary Ranson
Summary: The study demonstrates that introducing the 1014F allele in Anopheles mosquitoes significantly increases resistance to pyrethroids and DDT, while reducing mortality after exposure to pyrethroid-treated bednets. Combining 1014F with over-expression of detoxification enzymes further enhances resistance, although mosquitoes carrying the 1014F allele exhibit fitness disadvantages.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Silke Fuchs, William T. Garrood, Anna Beber, Andrew Hammond, Roberto Galizi, Matthew Gribble, Giulia Morselli, Tin-Yu J. Hui, Katie Willis, Nace Kranjc, Austin Burt, Andrea Crisanti, Tony Nolan, Harmit S. Malik
Summary: Gene drives have the potential to control disease-transmitting mosquitoes, but resistance and high conservation sequences can impact their efficacy. Studies have shown significant variations in the tolerance to resistance of conserved sequences, indicating a need for functional validation of future gene drive target sites.
Article
Microbiology
Kelsey L. Adams, Daniel G. Abernathy, Bailey C. Willett, Emily K. Selland, Maurice A. Itoe, Flaminia Catteruccia
Summary: Two prophage genes, cifA and cifB from Wolbachia, are found to induce conditional sterility in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. The expression of cifB in An. gambiae males is sufficient to cause cytoplasmic incompatibility, which is sensitive to the expression levels of the factors involved. Co-expression of cifA can rescue the fertility impairment caused by cifB in female mosquitoes. These findings pave the way for potential use of cytoplasmic incompatibility to control malaria mosquito vectors.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Microbiology
Kelsey L. Adams, Daniel G. Abernathy, Bailey C. Willett, Emily K. Selland, Maurice A. Itoe, Flaminia Catteruccia
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Tsukushi Kamiya, Douglas G. Paton, Flaminia Catteruccia, Sarah E. Reece
Summary: This article investigates the possibility of using antimalarial drugs designed for human treatment in mosquitoes to interrupt malaria transmission. The study suggests that targeting parasites inside mosquitoes can help minimize the risk of resistance evolution and extend the lifespan and clinical benefit of these drugs.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ioanna Morianou, Andrea Crisanti, Tony Nolan, Andrew M. Hammond
Summary: The introduction of small unmarked edits to the genome of insects is essential for studying important biological traits. A two-step method based on CRISPR-mediated cassette exchange (CriMCE) has been developed to facilitate the generation and isolation of precise marker-less edits. This method has shown higher rates of editing compared to homology-directed repair or prime editing.
Article
Microbiology
Kelsey L. L. Adams, Emily K. K. Selland, Bailey C. C. Willett, John W. W. Carew, Charles Vidoudez, Naresh Singh, Flaminia Catteruccia
Summary: Insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes is influenced by selective pressure from insecticide usage, which can affect the ability of mosquitoes to host and transmit a Plasmodium infection. A study with resistant and susceptible mosquitoes showed that resistance can increase the intensity and growth rate of P. falciparum infection. The increase in infection intensity was not associated with specific resistance mechanisms, but may be influenced by a lipid transporter called lipophorin.
Article
Biology
Nicole Page, Chrysanthi Taxiarchi, Daniel Tonge, Jasmina Kuburic, Emily Chesters, Antonios Kriezis, Kyros Kyrou, Laurence Game, Tony Nolan, Roberto Galizi
Summary: Understanding the development and genetic regulation of the Anopheles gambiae germline is crucial for developing effective genetic control strategies against this malaria mosquito. This study provides a comprehensive dataset that characterizes the expression profiles of different cell types in the male germline using scRNA-seq.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William T. Garrood, Nace Kranjc, Karl Petri, Daniel Y. Kim, Jimmy A. Guo, Andrew M. Hammond, Ioanna Morianou, Vikram Pattanayak, J. Keith Joung, Andrea Crisanti, Alekos Simoni
Summary: The study shows that off-target mutations induced by CRISPR-Cas9 in mosquitoes can be reduced to undetectable levels, with judicious design of the guide RNA and strict temporal control of Cas9 expression in the germline being key factors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)