Genetically manipulating insect vector competence at the population level by creating and introducing parasite/pathogen-refractory genotypes and phenotypes is an ambitious idea for controlling vector-borne diseases such as malaria. Successful implementation of such a strategy requires technology for inserting genes into insect chromosomes, the identification and isolation of appropriate “effector” genes and means by which newly created genotypes can be successfully introduced into natural populations.
Progress towards the creation of mosquitoes with engineered Plasmodium-refractory phenotypes has been steady and encouraging over the last decade but difficult questions about how these new genotypes will be introduced into natural populations remain open.
Transposable elements have been suggested as possible genetic drive agents for spreading introduced transgenes through insect populations. There are currently five candidate transposable elements that have been used as gene vectors in mosquitoes that might serve as gene spreading agents.
The ability of existing transposable element gene vectors to serve as genetic drive agents in Anopheles gambiae, the major malaria vector in Africa, and Aedes aegypti, a major arbovirus vector remains untested. This is a major gap in our knowledge that should be filled as part of the ongoing efforts to explore the feasibility of the idea of manipulating vector competence using genetic methods.
This project’s goal is to fill this knowledge-gap by testing the remobilization, replication and spreading potential of the Hermes, Minos, Mos1 and piggyBac elements in An. gambiae and Aedes aegypti
The Specific Aims of the project are to:
