New trials for sterile mosquitoes to fight disease
8 February 2010
Releasing sterile insects has been used as an effective control method against agricultural pests for over 50 years. But it has not been applied to mosquitoes because of the limitations of conventional sterilisation techniques, such as radiation.
A technique called RIDL, developed by Oxford based company Oxitec Ltd, uses advanced genetics to modify male insects to be 'sterile'. These mosquitoes, which do not bite or spread disease, are then released to mate with wild females. No viable offspring can result from these matings and as a result, the mosquito population is reduced below the threshold level that is required to transmit the disease.
Oxitec has created RIDL strains of Aedes aegypti, the principal mosquito species responsible for spreading dengue fever. The lead strain - OX513A - has already been tested both in the laboratory and in contained field conditions.
The Translation Award will be used to fund open field trials to demonstrate the potential of the RIDL strains to reduce the Aedes aegypti population to below the threshold level.
There is currently neither medication nor vaccine for dengue fever. According to World Health Organisation estimates, there may be over 50 million dengue infections worldwide every year and the only way to prevent transmission is to combat disease-carrying mosquitoes.
"Despite the widespread use of insecticides and community engagement programmes mosquito borne diseases are growing and new tools to prevent the spread of disease are urgently needed," said Dr Richard Seabrook, Head of Business Development at the Wellcome Trust.
"Oxitec's RIDL technology and approach is a unique solution and we are pleased to help the company realise its potential."
Image: Aedes aegypti mosquito. Credit: Wellcome Images
