Researchers from California have unveiled the genetically engineered mosquitoes that has the ability to resist the infection of malaria parasite. The scientists also discovered a way to spread the said skill to a population of mosquitoes.
The breakthrough study was made by the Californian researchers by altering the immune system of the mosquitoes. Using advanced gene editing technique the engineered mosquitoes were said to repel to the spread of malaria diseases.
Through the application of gene editing, scientists successfully edited the DNA of the mosquitoes to its desired effects. In order to spread the trait quickly to other midge-like flies, a particular gene editing technique called CRISPR was applied. The said method according to researchers, will cause the trait to be quickly disseminated because CRISPR assures that the new gene will be handed over to the next generation of mosquitoes.
Anthony James stated that the successful experiment can offer a vast application in treating malaria disease.
"This opens up the real promise that this technique can be adapted for eliminating malaria. We know the gene works. The mosquitoes we created are not the final brand, but we know this technology allows us to efficiently create large populations," explained by one of the lead author of the study coming from the University of California Irvine.
In addition, scientists said that the engineered mosquitoes are now ready to be released in the wild in order to hunt down the Plasmodium falciparum-the parasite that causes malaria.
According to the World Health Organization, malaria is one of the biggest problem faced internationally. Last 2013, it was estimated that there are 198 million people who were infected by the infectious disease. Statistics also showed that malaria is the reason behind the death of 580,000 people whom most of them are children aging 5 below.
Although there is a standard vaccine for the said disease, it was proven that it does not offer full treatment making it unusable today.
