Combating mosquito-borne diseases using genetic control technologies.
Guan-Hong Wang, Stephanie Gamez, Robyn R Raban, John M Marshall, Luke Alphey, Ming Li, Jason L Rasgon, Omar S Akbari
Nature communications · 2021-Jul-19 · PMID 34282149 · DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-24654-zAbstract
Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose significant global health burdens. Unfortunately, current control methods based on insecticides and environmental maintenance have fallen short of eliminating the disease burden. Scalable, deployable, genetic-based solutions are sought to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Pathogen-blocking Wolbachia bacteria, or genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies including gene drives have been developed to address these problems, both requiring the release of modified mosquitoes into the environment. Here, we review the latest developments, notable similarities, and critical distinctions between these promising technologies and discuss their future applications for mosquito-borne disease control.
Evidence profile
- Study type
- review
- Text reviewed by the copilot
- Full text is available
- Publication status
- published
- Corrections or retractions
- none
- Conflict statement
- O.S.A. is a founder of Agragene, Inc. and has an equity interest. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of California, San Diego in accordance with its conflict of interest policies. All other authors declare no competing interests.