According to Nature Biotechnology, researchers in the UK have developed a new weapon to combat malaria: genetically modified mosquitoes with glowing green sperm.
These sterilized male mosquitoes can be deployed in the millions in malaria-affected areas, particularly in the Sahel region of Africa, with the mission of mating with local female Anopheles mosquitoes.
The female mosquitoes only mate once in their lifetime, around two weeks old, so British scientists from the Imperial College London hope that the introduction of these sterile males can help to limit, or even completely eradicate, the malaria-carrying mosquito population.
A significant challenge for researchers is distinguishing between male and female Anopheles mosquitoes. Naturally, they cannot release female mosquitoes into outbreak areas, as only the females transmit the disease.
To address this issue, the research team led by Professor Andrea Crisanti has modified one of the mosquito’s genes to produce a fluorescent green protein in the sperm of male Anopheles mosquitoes.
The remaining task is to differentiate between male and female larvae using a machine equipped with a laser capable of detecting the fluorescent green color. Researchers achieved this using a machine that can sort 180,000 larvae in just 10 hours.
According to scientists, eradicating malaria in a city can only be successful after releasing hundreds of thousands of sterile males over several rounds for at least one month.
Every year, 2.7 million people die from malaria worldwide, with 75% of the victims being children in Africa. Malaria predominantly affects tropical regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
