Mosquito Gene Drives and the Malaria Eradication Agenda

Dr. Rebeca Carballar-Lejarazú’s research is focused on insect molecular genetics, vector biology, and the development of synthetic approaches to prevent transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. She has used several genetic strategies such as transposon-based random integration, phiC31 docking-site integration and CRISPR/Cas9 site-specific genome editing technologies to develop transgenic mosquitoes. Dr. Carballar-Lejarazú is currently working on the development, optimization, and evaluation of a CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive system to engineer mosquitoes that resist malaria parasites (population modification/replacement) in two main malaria African vectors Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii. Her insect interests have been centered mainly on vector mosquitoes. However, in 2014, she started a collaboration with Professor Sonqing Wu to study biopesticides to control crop pests in China.

SECTION I THE MALARIA CHALLENGE 1. Current Scenario of Malaria and the Transformative Power of Gene Drive-Based Technologies SECTION II MOSQUITO GENETIC MANIPULATION FOR MALARIA 2. Transgenesis and Paratransgenesis for the Control of Malaria 3. Gene Drives for Anopheles Mosquitoes 4. Gene Drive Applications for Malaria Control SECTION III GENE DRIVE MOSQUITO TRIALS 5. Large Cage Trials of Gene Drive Mosquitoes: Does Size Matter? 6. Field Trial Site Selection for Mosquitoes with Gene Drive: Geographic, Ecological, and Population Genetic Considerations 7. Modeling Priorities as Gene Drive Mosquito Projects Transition from Lab to Field SECTION IV RISK ASSESSMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 8. Probabilistic Ecological Risk Assessment: An Overview of the Process 9. Community Engagement and Mosquito Gene Drives SECTION V POLICY, REGULATORY, AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 10. Review of International Regulatory Instruments and Processes 11. Gene Drive Mosquitoes: Ethical and Political Considerations