Last Updated: 14/04/2026
Genetic engineering of refractory mosquito vectors for the control of malaria transmission
Objectives
The main goal of this project is to establish a partnership for research development, technology transfer and capacity building between Keele University and the University of Bamako (Mali) for investigating novel malaria control strategies through the development, testing and optimization of genetically engineered strains of Anopheles gambiae refractory to Plasmodium falciparum.
The proposal includes three interdependent work plans that will run over a five-year period, with the following objectives:
- to develop transgenic technologies for the efficient and site-directed introduction of anti-malaria effector genes into An. gambiae,
- to develop anti-malaria effector transgenes that block the transmission of P. falciparum
- to evaluate the fitness and mating competitiveness of engineered refractory strains of An. gambiae in cages and semi-natural enclosures.
A real strength of this proposal is the complementary expertise provided by the applicants, both in the UK and in Mali. Also important is the proven working relationship between the applicants, most recently strengthened by planning visit to Bamako early in 2007, where the objectives and details of this proposal were defined. Another strength of the proposal is our intention to work with the more relevant local mosquitoes and parasite isolates, rather than the laboratory strains and clones usually employed.
Aug 2008 — Feb 2012
$1.31M
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