Suppressing mosquito populations with precision guided sterile males

Nat Commun. 2021 Sep 10;12(1):5374. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-25421-w.

Abstract

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the principal vector for arboviruses including dengue/yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus, infecting hundreds of millions of people annually. Unfortunately, traditional control methodologies are insufficient, so innovative control methods are needed. To complement existing measures, here we develop a molecular genetic control system termed precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) in Aedes aegypti. PgSIT uses a simple CRISPR-based approach to generate flightless females and sterile males that are deployable at any life stage. Supported by mathematical models, we empirically demonstrate that released pgSIT males can compete, suppress, and even eliminate mosquito populations. This platform technology could be used in the field, and adapted to many vectors, for controlling wild populations to curtail disease in a safe, confinable, and reversible manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / genetics
  • Aedes / virology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Arboviruses
  • Chikungunya Fever / prevention & control
  • Chikungunya Fever / transmission
  • Chikungunya Fever / virology
  • Dengue / prevention & control
  • Dengue / transmission
  • Dengue / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / genetics
  • Infertility, Male / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Mosquito Control / methods*
  • Mosquito Vectors / genetics
  • Mosquito Vectors / virology*
  • Yellow Fever / prevention & control
  • Yellow Fever / transmission
  • Yellow Fever / virology
  • Zika Virus
  • Zika Virus Infection / prevention & control
  • Zika Virus Infection / transmission
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology