Changing the genes of Anopheles against malaria

2004/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna

Currently, German researchers have managed to identify which proteins take part in the transmission, information with which they can genetically alter mosquitoes and slow the spread of the disease.

The microorganism is the protozoo Plasmodium falciparum. If the mosquito absorbs it along with human blood, the protozoo grows inside the mosquito body. Growing inside does not necessarily mean infecting another human being. Not all mosquitoes transmit the disease; sometimes the immune system of the insect kills the protozoo, sometimes not.

In fact, researchers have found that the three mosquito genes are responsible for it, one helps kill the protozoo and the other two protect it. And, knowing this, they will have to see if it is possible to develop treatments for mosquito application, so that they can hinder the disease.