Roadmap for Vector Transmission Control (VTC)

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

To decrease vector populations through genetic modification and/or by disrupting breeding

What are the scientific and technological challenges (knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

• Determine fitness of sterilized arthropods
• Determine fitness of genetically modified vectors
• While gene drive systems have been used to spread genes through mosquito populations, there is still a need for more effective systems. Further research is needed to identify new gene drive systems that can be used safely and effectively in mosquito populations.
• Upregulate the mosquito anti-viral responses (i.e., genetically engineered mosquitoes) to prevent virus infestation because upregulating these genes may influence other genes and physiological process that makes the mosquito less fit.
• At the stage of releasing engineered mosquitoes in the hope of reducing malaria. Success will depend on many things but compared with ticks, mosquitoes, although short-lived, have a high reproductive rate and disperse widely. Can a similar approach be taken for other vector species? Gene editing to create sterile male ticks could help reduce tick populations, could large scale rearing be achieved. This involves using CRISPR/Cas9 or other gene editing technologies to modify the genes responsible for tick reproduction, making it more difficult for them to reproduce
• There is a need for more effective strategies for monitoring and evaluating genetically engineered mosquito releases
• There is a need for more research on public attitudes towards genetically engineered mosquitoes

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

• Male sterilization through genetic modification Radiation
• Chemical treatments
• Sterile male competitive technique – sterile male mates slower?
• Female reproduction reduction (using RNAi)
• Wolbachia control approaches.
• Insect specific viruses

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Vector genome sequences need to be available

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Molecular and functional characterization of Bm05br antigen from Rhipicephalus microplus (2015)
Radiation of vectors (Glossina) for sterilization and release into the wild