Innovative technologies for pre-development

This project, investigating the potential of RNAi technology for use in Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs), has been established with Indiana University. The project aims to investigate the suitability of yeast-incorporated RNA sequences for killing adult Anopheles mosquitoes within an ATSB system. RNAi technology, known also as ‘gene silencing’ is applied to mosquito control to target genes that are essential to normal mosquito development and function.

The project will identify candidate RNA sequences that have activity against mosquitoes only, with the potential to become the basis of a highly-selective ATSB insecticide which is safe for non-target organisms. The investigation will incorporate yeast-expressed RNA into an ATSB matrix, and test for effectiveness and residual effect, culminating in semi-field evaluation in Tanzania.
The unique mode of action of RNAi technology offers an important resistance management possibility for ATBs.

A project has been established with Johns Hopkins University to develop an advanced mosquito lure as the basis for enhanced Anopheles monitoring, and potentially control. The project builds on the neurophysiological screening platform established by this group within the earlier ZGC programme. The aim is to identify an optimal blend of human odorant chemicals for incorporation into controlled-release emission vials, which are also under development by the research group. Such a lure, without the need for CO2 augmentation, has the potential to greatly improve existing monitoring traps, and possibly provide the basis for mass-trapping for Anopheles mosquito control. The project is additionally investigating the suitability of a range of mosquito-attractive insecticide-treated ‘landing targets’ for coupling with the lure, to augment attractivity, as the basis for control. Semi-field evaluation is planned at Macha Research Institute, Zambia.

Project funding has been awarded to Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design to further develop its mosquito recognition software and hardware. The technology being pursued in this project aims to provide a ‘taxonomist in your pocket’ for national malaria control programs and researchers. Mosquitoes collected from the field are photographed with VectorCAM, which is based on an upgraded smartphone, for instantaneous recognition to species level. The technology relies on computer vision algorithms that have been trained to identify multiple species of mosquitos. Additional key Anopheles species will be added to the VectorCAM recognition capability. Iterative hardware design will ensure that successive product prototypes are refined and tested, with a market-ready product anticipated at the end of the project. User-testing is planned with organizations including Macha Research Institute, Noguchi Research Institute, and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. VectorCAM aims to solve the problem of a shortage of trained taxonomists, increasing the opportunity for more widespread and systematic monitoring of mosquito populations.