Virginia Tech study reveals potential to curb mosquito-borne diseases via genetic modification
Virginia – By finding a possible way to manage mosquito numbers via genetic breeding, Virginia Tech researchers have made a breakthrough in the fight against diseases carried by mosquitoes such as Zika and Dengue. This innovative approach might offer a necessary substitute for conventional insecticides, which have been losing potency and raise environmental issues.
Published in the journal Communications Biology, the study crosses two mosquito species—Aedes aegypti, a main vector for arboviral illnesses, and its brother species from the Indian Ocean, Ae. mascaredsis—explores the genetic complexities of species incompatibility. When crossed back with one of the parent species, the resulting offspring produced roughly 10% intersex progeny—mosquitoes exhibiting both male and female traits, which prevented reproduction.
Under the direction of Fralin Life Sciences Institute affiliated faculty member Professor Igor Sharakhov, the team examined the genetic abnormalities generating these intersex disorders. They identified disturbances in the sex determining mechanisms wherein the genetically male mosquitoes expressed both male and female genes, producing mixed physical features.
“We studied the hybridization of two mosquito species, found that intersex individuals have disrupted sex determination pathways, and identified sex-specific gene expressions,” said Igor Sharakhov, one of the researchers on the project and professor of entomology and an affiliated faculty with the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. “This study can help identify new sex determination pathway genes that can be used in mosquito control strategies.”
Their investigation went beyond identification as well. The researchers are now exploring at how these genetic discoveries could be applied to promote all-male mosquito populations. Eliminating females could greatly lower mosquito numbers and disease transmission since only female mosquitoes bite and spread infections.
The study looked at many facets of the genetic phenomena, including the physical and anatomical traits of the intersex mosquitoes, especially with reference to their reproductive organs. To find normal and abnormal patterns in sexual differentiation, they also examined certain genes engaged in the sex determining process and total gene expression.
“What we found is that the morphological abnormalities start in the pupal stage during development, and in adults, the most severe cases have both testes and ovaries in one individual, which is very unusual for these species,” Sharakhov said. “Now we want to understand what causes these abnormalities.”
The findings suggested that while female-biased genes are expressed normally, male-biased genes show decreased expression in certain male reproductive parts, though testes-related genes remain at normal levels.
“Since the intersex is genetically male but expresses female transcripts, it provides a system to identify genes affecting female behavior, which can be useful for future vector control strategies,” said Jiangtao Liang, a postdoctoral associate in entomology.
Liang underlined that a useful model for finding genetic elements linked in different mosquito behaviors necessary for survival and reproduction.
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Through genetic modification, this innovative study creates new paths for reducing mosquito numbers, thus enabling more successful approaches in the fight against world health risks presented by mosquito-borne diseases. The team’s efforts may open the path for innovative, environmentally friendly, and sustainable mosquito control strategies as they keep dissecting the genetic foundations of mosquito life.
