A5103156950- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Malaria Research and Control
- Viral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Imperial College London
2008-2024
Gene drives hold promise for the genetic control of malaria vectors. The development vector population modification strategies hinges on availability effector mechanisms impeding parasite in transgenic mosquitoes. We augmented a midgut gene mosquito
Gene drives for mosquito population replacement are promising tools malaria control. However, there is currently no clear pathway safely testing such in endemic countries. The lack of well-characterized promoters infection-relevant tissues and regulatory hurdles further obstacles their design use. Here we explore how minimal genetic modifications endogenous genes can convert them directly into non-autonomous gene without disrupting expression. We co-opted the native sequences three...
Despite being phylogenetically very close to Anopheles gambiae, the major mosquito vector of human malaria in Africa, quadriannulatus is thought be a non-vector. Understanding difference between and non-vector mosquitoes can facilitate development novel control strategies. We demonstrate that An. largely resistant infections by parasite Plasmodium falciparum, as well rodent berghei. By using genetics reverse genetics, we show resistance controlled quantitative heritable traits manifested...
Key behaviours, physiologies and gene expressions in Anopheles mosquitoes impact the transmission of Plasmodium . Such mosquito factors are rhythmic to closely follow diel rhythms. Here, we set explore circadian rhythm on tripartite interaction between vector, parasite midgut microbiota, investigate how this may affect infection outcomes. We assess falciparum prevalence intensity, as a proxy for gametocyte infectivity, gambiae that received gametocyte-containing bloodfeed measure abundance...
Abstract Gene drives for mosquito population replacement are promising tools malaria control. However, there is currently no clear pathway safely testing such in endemic countries. The lack of well-characterized promoters infection-relevant tissues and regulatory hurdles further obstacles their design use. Here we explore how minimal genetic modifications endogenous genes can convert them directly into non-autonomous gene without disrupting expression. We co-opted the native sequences three...
Abstract Gene drives hold promise for the genetic control of malaria vectors. The development vector population modification strategies hinges on availability effector mechanisms impeding parasite in transgenic mosquitoes. We augmented a midgut gene mosquito Anopheles gambiae to secrete two exogenous antimicrobial peptides, Magainin 2 and Melittin. This small modification, capable efficient non-autonomous drive, hampers oocyst both Plasmodium falciparum berghei . It delays release infectious...
Abstract The NF-κB-like transcription factor, REL2, is a key player in the mosquito Immunodeficiency (Imd) pathway and holds promise for controlling malaria parasite infections genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. We engineered transgenic mosquitoes overexpressing REL2 from within bloodmeal-inducible zinc carboxypeptidase A1 (CP) host gene adult posterior midgut. Our results confirmed elevated expression midgut following bloodmeal, with corresponding protein localized...