mass-production-genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti-for-field-releases

Mass Production of Genetically Modified <em>Aedes aegypti</em> for Field Releases in Brazil

New techniques and methods are being sought to try to win the battle against mosquitoes. Recent advances in molecular techniques have led to the ...

Oxitec Ltd

Winged morphs of aphids are essential for their dispersal and survival. We discovered that the production of the winged morph in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea, is dependent on their infection with a DNA virus, Dysaphis plantaginea densovirus (DplDNV). Virus-free clones of the rosy apple aphid, or clones infected singly with an RNA virus, rosy apple aphid virus (RAAV), did not produce the winged morph in response to crowding and poor plant quality. DplDNV infection results in a significant reduction in aphid reproduction rate, but such aphids can produce the winged morph, even at low insect density, which can fly and colonize neighboring plants. Aphids infected with DplDNV produce a proportion of virus-free aphids, which enables production of virus-free clonal lines after colonization of a new plant. Our data suggest that a mutualistic relationship exists between the rosy apple aphid and its viruses. Despite the negative impact of DplDNV on rosy apple aphid reproduction, this virus contributes to their survival by inducing wing development and promoting dispersal.

Densovirus induces winged morphs in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea.

Successful suppression of a field mosquito population by sustained release of engineered male mosquitoes.

Dengue is the most important mosquito-borne viral disease. In the absence of specific drugs or vaccines, control focuses on suppressing the principal mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, yet current methods have not proven adequate to control the disease. New methods are therefore urgently needed, for example genetics-based sterile-male-release methods. However, this requires that lab-reared, modified mosquitoes be able to survive and disperse adequately in the field.

Article	Year
Densovirus induces winged morphs in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America\| PubMed ID: 19439653	2009
Successful suppression of a field mosquito population by sustained release of engineered male mosquitoes. Nature biotechnology\| PubMed ID: 22965050	2012
Open field release of genetically engineered sterile male Aedes aegypti in Malaysia. PloS one\| PubMed ID: 22970102	2012

Neil Naish

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