Scientists from the United States and Brazil have, for the first time, prevented malaria transmission by mosquitoes using precise genetic editing. Using CRISPR-Cas9, the researchers changed one amino acid in the FREP1 protein in mosquitoes, preventing the parasite from reaching the salivary glands and being passed to humans during a bite. The protective variant identified — Q224 — is naturally occurring, which makes the method safe for the environment and for the mosquitoes themselves.
Experiments showed that the change does not affect the insects’ growth or reproduction, and that their offspring inherit the protective gene and spread it through the population. At the same time, the likelihood of malaria transmission fell by 93%. The finding is especially important now, as mosquitoes have become resistant to insecticides and malaria parasites to medicines. The new alternative may help stop the disease where other measures no longer work.
The technology can also be readily adapted to fight other mosquito-borne diseases. The approach is not aimed at eliminating insects and can fit naturally into the ecosystem. Against the backdrop of growing problems with traditional measures, this discovery looks especially encouraging.
