Suppressing mosquito populations with precision guided sterile males

Ming Li, Ting Yang, Michelle Bui, Stephanie Gamez, Tyler Wise, Nikolay P. Kandul, Junru Liu, Lenissa Alcantara, Haena Lee, Jyotheeswara R. Edula, Robyn Raban, Yinpeng Zhan, Yijin Wang, Nick DeBeaubien, Jieyan Chen, Héctor M. Sánchez C., Jared B. Bennett, Igor Antoshechkin, Craig Montell, John M. Marshall and Omar S. Akbari ()
Additional contact information
Ming Li: University of California, San Diego
Ting Yang: University of California, San Diego
Michelle Bui: University of California, San Diego
Stephanie Gamez: University of California, San Diego
Tyler Wise: University of California, San Diego
Nikolay P. Kandul: University of California, San Diego
Junru Liu: University of California, San Diego
Lenissa Alcantara: University of California, San Diego
Haena Lee: University of California, San Diego
Jyotheeswara R. Edula: University of California, San Diego
Robyn Raban: University of California, San Diego
Yinpeng Zhan: University of California
Yijin Wang: University of California
Nick DeBeaubien: University of California
Jieyan Chen: University of California
Héctor M. Sánchez C.: University of California
Jared B. Bennett: University of California
Igor Antoshechkin: California Institute of Technology
Craig Montell: University of California
John M. Marshall: University of California
Omar S. Akbari: University of California, San Diego

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-25421-w

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25421-w

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