“Toxic” sperm from genetically modified mosquitoes could help fight the transmission of tropical diseases, Australian scientists say in a study published Tuesday. The first tests were carried out on vinegar flies.
The technique, known as “toxic male”, consists of breeding mosquitoes whose sperm contains venomous proteins, fatal for females after mating. The goal is to kill populations of female insects. As a reminder, only female mosquitoes bite and suck blood, with the risk of transmitting potentially lethal infectious diseases such as malaria or dengue fever to their victims.
>> Read also: Cases of dengue and mosquito-related illnesses on the rise in Europe
According to lead author Sam Beach of Macquarie University in Australia, this method “could work as quickly as pesticides, without harming beneficial species.” “This innovative solution could transform the way we manage pests, offering hope for healthier communities and a more sustainable future,” adds the expert, whose the study was published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.
Tested on vinegar flies
The first tests, to prove the concept, focused on vinegar flies, a species commonly used in the laboratory due to its short lifespan. Female subjects who mated with “toxic” males saw their life expectancy significantly reduced, scientists report.
Maciej Maselko, co-author of the study and a researcher at Macquarie University, said the next step was to test on mosquitoes, “to make sure there is no risk neither for humans nor for other non-target species.
Modified mosquito genes
Genetic engineering, which consists of manipulating the DNA of organisms, is a technique long used to control populations of mosquitoes responsible for transmitting diseases, in particular by rendering cohorts of males sterile. Computer simulations show that the “toxic” method can be much more effective, says the team of scientists.
The production of genetically modified mosquitoes could be carried out by playing on the modalities of “gene expression”, so that in the laboratory the females can be fertilized without succumbing themselves.
ostolu/ret
Health
