This is a database of peer-reviewed literature that focuses on Genetic Biocontrol research. The latest are shown here.
Role of seasonal importation and genetic drift on selection for drug-resistant genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in high-transmission settings
Historically Plasmodium falciparum has followed a pattern of drug resistance first appearing in low-transmission settings before spreading to high-transmission settings. Several features of low-transmission regions are hypothesized as explanations: higher chance of symptoms and treatment seeking, better treatment access, less within-host competition among clones and lower rates of recombination. Upon controlling for the timing of importation of drug-resistant genotypes and examination of key model variables, we found that drug-resistant genotypes imported during the low-transmission season were (i) more susceptible to stochastic extinction due to the action of genetic drift, and (ii) more likely to lead to establishment of drug resistance when parasites are able to survive early stochastic loss due to drift. This implies that rare importation events are more likely to lead to establishment if they occur during a high-transmission season, but that constant importation (e.g. neighbouring countries with high levels of resistance) may produce a greater risk during low-transmission periods.
Zupko, R. J., Servadio, J. L., Nguyen, T. D., Tran, T. N. A., Tran, K. T., Somé, A. F., & Boni, M. F. (2023). Role of Seasonal Importation and Random Genetic Drift on Selection for Drug-Resistant Genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in High Transmission Settings. bioRxiv.
Efficacy of Wolbachia-based mosquito control: Predictions of a spatially discrete mathematical model
Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium present in many insect species. When Wolbachia-carrying male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes mate with non-carrier females, their embryos are not viable due to cytoplasmic incompatibility. This phenomenon has been exploited successfully for the purpose of controlling mosquito populations and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses: Wolbachia carriers are bred and released into the environment. Because Wolbachia is not harmful to humans, this method of mosquito control is regarded as a safer alternative to pesticide spraying.
Dye D, Cain JW (2024) Efficacy of Wolbachia-based mosquito control: Predictions of a spatially discrete mathematical model. PLoS ONE 19(3): e0297964. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297964
Detection of Invasive Anopheles stephensi Mosquitoes through Molecular Surveillance, Ghana
The invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito has rapidly expanded in range in Africa over the past decade. Consistent with World Health Organization guidelines, routine entomologic surveillance of malaria vectors in Accra, Ghana, now includes morphologic and molecular surveillance of An. stephensi mosquitoes. We report detection of An. stephensi mosquitoes in Ghana.
Afrane, Y. A., Abdulai, A., Mohammed, A. R., Akuamoah-Boateng, Y., Owusu-Asenso, C. M., Sraku, I. K….Lobo, N. F. (2024). Detection of Invasive Anopheles stephensi Mosquitoes through Molecular Surveillance, Ghana. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30(3), 605-608. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3003.231638.
Impact of vector richness on the risk of vector‐borne disease: The role of vector competence
A central goal of disease ecology is to identify the factors that drive the spread of infectious diseases. Changes in vector richness can have complex effects on disease risk, but little is known about the role of vector competence in the relationship between vector richness and disease risk. When vector richness increases, the positive effects of adding a high‐competence vector species on disease transmission may outweigh the negative effects of feeding interference due to increased vector richness, making an amplification effect more likely to occur.
Chen L, Tan Z, Kong P, Zhou Y, Zhou L. Impact of vector richness on the risk of vector-borne disease: The role of vector competence. Ecol Evol. 2024 Mar 1;14(3):e11082. doi: 10.1002/ece3.11082. PMID: 38435018; PMCID: PMC10905232.
Genetic differentiation of Plasmodium vivax duffy binding protein in Ethiopia and comparison with other geographical isolates
Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) is a merozoite surface protein located in the micronemes of P. vivax. The invasion of human reticulocytes by P. vivax merozoites depends on the parasite DBP binding domain engaging Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokine (DARC) on these red blood cells (RBCs). PvDBPII shows high genetic diversity which is a major challenge to its use in the development of a vaccine against vivax malaria.
Abebe, A., Dieng, C.C., Dugassa, S. et al. Genetic differentiation of Plasmodium vivax duffy binding protein in Ethiopia and comparison with other geographical isolates. Malar J 23, 55 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-04887-1
Impact of SumiLarv® 2MR on Aedes aegypti larvae: a multicenter study in Brazil
Aedes aegypti is associated with dengue, Zika, and chikungunya transmission. These arboviruses are responsible for national outbreaks with severe public health implications. Vector control is one of the tools used to prevent mosquito proliferation, and SumiLarv® 2MR is an alternative commercial product based on pyriproxyfen for larval/pupal control. Adult emergence inhibition over 420 days was observed in all tests conducted at a concentration of 0.16 mg/l; inhibition for 308–420 days was observed for 0.08 mg/l, and 224–420 days for 0.04 mg/l.
Müller, J.N., Galardo, A.K.R., Corrêa, A.P.S.d. et al. Impact of SumiLarv® 2MR on Aedes aegypti larvae: a multicenter study in Brazil. Parasites Vectors 17, 88 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-06064-w
Improving homology‐directed repair by small molecule agents for genetic engineering in unconventional yeast?—Learning from the engineering of mammalian system
The ability to precisely edit genomes by deleting or adding genetic information enables the study of biological functions and the building of efficient cell factories. In many unconventional yeasts, such as those promising new hosts for cell factory design but also human pathogenic yeasts and food spoilers, this progress has been limited by the fact that most yeasts favour non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) over homologous recombination (HR) as a DNA repair mechanism, impairing genetic access to these hosts. In mammalian cells, small molecules that either inhibit proteins involved in NHEJ, enhance protein function in HR, or arrest the cell cycle in HR‐dominant phases are regarded as promising agents for the simple and transient increase of HR‐mediated genome editing without the need for a priori host engineering. Only a few of these chemicals have been applied to the engineering of yeast, although the targeted proteins are mostly conserved, making chemical agents a yet‐underexplored area for enhancing yeast engineering.
Lu, M. & Billerbeck, S. (2024) Improving homology-directed repair by small molecule agents for genetic engineering in unconventional yeast?—Learning from the engineering of mammalian systems. Microbial Biotechnology, 17, e14398. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.14398
Distribution of infectious and parasitic agents among three sentinel bee species across European agricultural landscapes
Infectious and parasitic agents (IPAs) and their associated diseases are major environmental stressors that jeopardize bee health, both alone and in interaction with other stressors. Their impact on pollinator communities can be assessed by studying multiple sentinel bee species. Our results suggest that the most frequent IPAs in adult bees are more appropriate for assessing the bees’ IPA exposure risk. We also report positive correlations of IPA loads supporting the potential IPA transmission among sentinels, suggesting careful consideration should be taken when introducing managed pollinators in ecologically sensitive environments.
Babin, A., Schurr, F., Delannoy, S. et al. Distribution of infectious and parasitic agents among three sentinel bee species across European agricultural landscapes. Sci Rep 14, 3524 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53357-w
Advanced methods for insect nets: red-colored nets contribute to sustainable agriculture
Development of advanced pest control methods that do not rely on insecticides is an important issue for sustainable agriculture. Particularly with regards to micro pests that are not only highly resistant to various insecticides but also because we are running out of options for which insecticide to use against them, resulting in enormous economic damage worldwide. Here we report that the effectiveness of the conventional insect net can be greatly advanced by changing their color to red that helps significantly reduce pesticide use. New red nets succeeded in suppressing the invasion rates and damages (white spots on the leaves) in a Welsh onion greenhouse with minimum use of pesticides.
Tokumaru, S., Tokushima, Y., Ito, S. et al. Advanced methods for insect nets: red-colored nets contribute to sustainable agriculture. Sci Rep 14, 2255 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52108-1
Evaluating vector competence for Yellow fever in the Caribbean
The mosquito-borne disease, Yellow fever (YF), has been largely controlled via mass delivery of an effective vaccine and mosquito control interventions. However, there are warning signs that YF is re-emerging in both Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Imported from Africa in slave ships, YF was responsible for devastating outbreaks in the Caribbean. In Martinique, the last YF outbreak was reported in 1908 and the mosquito Aedes aegypti was incriminated as the main vector. Our vector competence data suggest that the threat of re-emergence of YF in Martinique and the subsequent spread to Caribbean nations and beyond is plausible.
Gabiane, G., Bohers, C., Mousson, L. et al. Evaluating vector competence for Yellow fever in the Caribbean. Nat Commun 15, 1236 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45116-2