MOSQUITO TRANSGENCIS · Use of reverse genetics to study insecticide resistance in the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- —
- EU contribution
- €143,746
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
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Project objective
Malaria is a devastating parasitic disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. All national malaria control programmes rely extensively on a limited number of insecticides to reduce transmission of this disease but the efficacy of these control measures is being reduced by insecticide resistance in the mosquito vectors.The applicant has identified strong candidate genes in Anopheles gambiae, the major malaria vector in Africa, that are predicted to confer resistance to two of the most widely used classes of insecticides. These genes are over-expressed in resistant mosquits and encode enzymes that detoxify the insecticides. Techniques to both over-express and silence genes in Anopheles mosquitoes have been developed by members of the host laboratory.By using these methods we will determine whether over-expression of our candidate genes is both necessary and sufficient to cause insecticide resistance in laboratory strains of A. gambiae. Definitive proof of the role of a particular enzyme in conferring insecticide resistance has never been obtained for medically important insects and yet such information is vital if plans to reverse resistance by developing novel insecticide formulations that block resistance mechanisms are to succeed.The generation of transgencic Anopheles mosquitoes is technically challenging and have only been achieved by a handful of laboratories worldwide. Dr. Catteruccia and her colleagues are pioneers in this field and hence undertaking this project in the proposed host laboratory will maximise the chances of success.The applicant is extremely well qualified to pursue this ambitious proposal having over 10 years of practical experience in the molecular biology of insecticide resistance. The training in transgenic technology that she w ill receive will be invaluable in developing her own research programme and establishing her as one of the future leaders in molecular entomology.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PERUGIA · PERUGIACoordinatorItaly
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Data: CORDIS, © European Union