This is a database of peer-reviewed literature that focuses on Genetic Biocontrol research. The latest are shown here.
Driving evolution in wild plants
Two groups of scientists independently engineer gene drives in Arabidopsis thaliana, demonstrating the possibility for spreading fitness-reducing genetic modifications through wild populations of plants for population suppression.
Imagine a future where yield-robbing agricultural weeds or biodiversity threatening invasive plants could be kept on a genetic leash, or where the evolutionary rescue of extinction-threatened plant species could be super-charged. Synthetic gene drives can subvert the normal rules of evolution by spreading harmful (or beneficial) mutations and/or genes through wild plant populations to achieve these goals. In a recent issue of Nature Plants, Oberhofer et al. and Liu et al. make exciting advances that bring the theory closer to reality.
Neve, P., Barrett, L. Driving evolution in wild plants. Nat. Plants (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-024-01723-x
Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries
Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes.
Hague, M.T.J., Wheeler, T.B. & Cooper, B.S. Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries. Commun Biol 7, 727 (2024).
The impact of Plasmodium-driven immunoregulatory networks on immunity to malaria
Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, drives multiple regulatory responses across the immune landscape. These regulatory responses help to protect against inflammatory disease but may in some situations hamper the acquisition of adaptive immune responses that clear parasites. In addition, the regulatory responses that occur during Plasmodium infection may negatively affect malaria vaccine efficacy in the most at-risk populations. Here, we discuss the specific cellular mechanisms of immunoregulatory networks that develop during malaria, with a focus on knowledge gained from human studies and studies that involve the main malaria parasite to affect humans, Plasmodium falciparum. Leveraging this knowledge may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to increase protective immunity to malaria during infection or after vaccination.
Boyle, M.J., Engwerda, C.R. & Jagannathan, P. The impact of Plasmodium-driven immunoregulatory networks on immunity to malaria. Nat Rev Immunol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-024-01041-5
Genetics of flight in spongy moths (Lymantria dispar ssp.): functionally integrated profiling of a complex invasive trait
Flight can drastically enhance dispersal capacity and is a key trait defining the potential of exotic insect species to spread and invade new habitats. The phytophagous European spongy moths (ESM, Lymantria dispar dispar) and Asian spongy moths (ASM; a multi–species group represented here by L. d. asiatica and L. d. japonica), are globally invasive species that vary in adult female flight capability—female ASM are typically flight capable, whereas female ESM are typically flightless. Genetic markers of flight capability would supply a powerful tool for flight profiling of these species at any intercepted life stage.
Blackburn GS, Keeling CI, Prunier J, Keena MA, Béliveau C, Hamelin R, Havill NP, Hebert FO, Levesque RC, Cusson M, Porth I. Genetics of flight in spongy moths (Lymantria dispar ssp.): functionally integrated profiling of a complex invasive trait. BMC Genomics. 2024 May 31;25(1):541. doi: 10.1186/s12864-023-09936-8. PMID: 38822259; PMCID: PMC11140922.
Reagent-free detection of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in field-collected mosquitoes using mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning
Field-derived metrics are critical for effective control of malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease kills over half a million people yearly. One key metric is entomological inoculation rate, a direct measure of transmission intensities, computed as a product of human biting rates and prevalence of Plasmodium sporozoites in mosquitoes. Unfortunately, current methods for identifying infectious mosquitoes are laborious, time-consuming, and may require expensive reagents that are not always readily available.
Mwanga, E.P., Kweyamba, P.A., Siria, D.J. et al. Reagent-free detection of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in field-collected mosquitoes using mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning. Sci Rep 14, 12100 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63082-z
Upscaling irradiation protocols of Aedes albopictus pupae within an SIT program in Reunion Island
As part of the up-scaling process towards a SIT pilot trial against Ae. albopictus on La Reunion, the aim of the present study was to develop an efficient upscaled irradiation protocol for a weekly production of 300 000 sterile males of Ae. albopictus with the specificities of the only available irradiator on the island. Using available resources of La Reunion, and according to previous studies to determine optimum factors of sterilization for the species, we assessed the effects of exposure environment, pupae density, quantity of water and irradiation dose on the dose–response of Ae. albopictus male pupae. We also evaluated the effect of sample location within the irradiation canister to ensure a consistent and reproducible sterilization method.
Marquereau, L., Yamada, H., Damiens, D. et al. Upscaling irradiation protocols of Aedes albopictus pupae within an SIT program in Reunion Island. Sci Rep 14, 12117 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62642-7
Spatio-temporal characterization of phenotypic resistance in malaria vector species
Malaria, a deadly disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa parasite and transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts to eliminate malaria have increasingly focused on vector control using insecticides. However, the emergence of insecticide resistance (IR) in malaria vectors pose a formidable obstacle, and the current IR mapping models remain static, relying on fixed coefficients. This study introduces a dynamic spatio-temporal approach to characterize phenotypic resistance in Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles arabiensis.
Ibrahim EA, Wamalwa M, Odindi J, Tonnang HEZ. Spatio-temporal characterization of phenotypic resistance in malaria vector species. BMC Biol. 2024 May 20;22(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s12915-024-01915-z. PMID: 38764011; PMCID: PMC11102860.
Comparative analysis of midgut bacterial communities in Chikungunya virus-infected and non-infected Aedes aegypti Thai laboratory strain mosquitoes
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) poses a significant global health threat, re-emerging as a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that caused high fever, rash, and severe arthralgia. In Thailand, a notable CHIKV outbreak in 2019–2020 affected approximately 20,000 cases across 60 provinces, underscoring the need for effective mosquito control protocols. Previous studies have highlighted the role of midgut bacteria in the interaction between mosquito vectors and pathogen infections, demonstrating their ability to protect the insect from invading pathogens. However, research on the midgut bacteria of Aedes (Ae.) aegypti, the primary vector for CHIKV in Thailand remains limited.
Siriyasatien, P., Intayot, P., Chitcharoen, S. et al. Comparative analysis of midgut bacterial communities in Chikungunya virus-infected and non-infected Aedes aegypti Thai laboratory strain mosquitoes. Sci Rep 14, 10814 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61027-0
Anti-Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 ϒ (PvMSP3 ϒ) antibodies upon natural infection
Merozoite surface protein 3 of Plasmodium vivax (PvMSP3) contains a repertoire of protein members with unique sequence organization. While the biological functions of these proteins await elucidation, PvMSP3 has been suggested to be potential vaccine targets. To date, studies on natural immune responses to this protein family have been confined to two members, PvMSP3α and PvMSP3β. This study analyzed natural IgG antibody responses to PvMSP3γ recombinant proteins derived from two variants: one containing insert blocks (CT1230nF) and the other without insert domain (NR25nF).
Kuamsab, N., Putaporntip, C., Kakino, A. et al. Anti-Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 ϒ (PvMSP3 ϒ) antibodies upon natural infection. Sci Rep 14, 9595 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59153-w
Scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) endoparasitoid as a novel biocontrol agent against adult American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)
The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattodea: Blattidae), is one of the most common pests that thrive in diverse environments and carries various pathogens, causing critical threats to public health and the ecosystem. We thus report in this study the first observation of decapitated American cockroaches as a result of infestation with scuttle fly parasitoids. Interestingly, behavioral alterations in the form of zombification-like behavior could be observed in cockroaches reared in the laboratory before being decapitated, implying that the insect targets cockroach heads.
Arafat, E.A., El-Samad, L.M. & Hassan, M.A. Scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) endoparasitoid as a novel biocontrol agent against adult American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana). Sci Rep 14, 9762 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59547-w