The phrase
"mosquito genome" refers to the complete set of genetic information found in a mosquito. It includes all the genes that determine the characteristics and traits of a mosquito.
Full definition
Dr Mara Lawniczak, a corresponding author on the paper and Faculty at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: «The diversity
of mosquito genomes was far greater than we expected.
Potential beneficial uses of such «gene drives» include
reprogramming mosquito genomes to eliminate malaria, reversing the development of pesticide and herbicide resistance, and locally eradicating invasive species.
«I'm skeptical that the
Anopheles mosquito genome will actually be useful in attempts to control malaria in very poor countries and I have a feeling that projects on the genome are done because molecular biologists think they can be done and are exciting to do.
«The insights gained from the intensive use of insecticides and its impact on
the mosquito genome will be critical for the successful implementation of gene editing systems as a new approach to controlling mosquito - borne diseases,» Kamdem said.
Advantageous mutations in the insecticide target site are a major source of resistance, highlighting the direct impact of human interventions on
the mosquito genome.
Zwiebel and colleagues scanned
the mosquito genome looking for genes similar to those that generate fruit fly odorant receptors, proteins that project from nerve cells and initiate a biochemical cascade when they encounter certain molecules in the air.
High genetic diversity enables rapid evolution and the study found 52 million small differences amongst
the mosquito genomes.
They then examined each of
the mosquito genomes.
The mosquito genomes also revealed rapid evolution of several genes that had previously been implicated in insecticide resistance.
Vosshall then turned to
the mosquito genome to search for genes akin to those of flies.
«To date, efforts to control dengue transmission through genetics have focused entirely on adding material to
the mosquito genome.
To test the capability of TALENs to specifically edit
the mosquito genome, the scientists designed a pair of TALENS to target a gene whose protein product is essential to the production of eye pigmentation in Aedes aegypti, a mosquito species known for its transmission of the viruses that cause dengue fever.
While TALENS have been previously used to edit the genomes of animal and human cell cultures, applying them to
the mosquito genome is a new approach, according to Adelman.
In a groundbreaking study recently published in the journal PLOS One, the scientists used a pair of engineered proteins to cut DNA in a site - specific manner to disrupt a targeted gene in
the mosquito genome.
They're using CRISPR to edit
a mosquito genome to block the insect from spreading malaria or dengue, and gene drive to make every descendant inherit the trait.
To have
the mosquito genome at the same time gives us enormous potential to study the interaction between the parasite and the mosquito.