The fight against vector borne diseases requires extensive knowledge of the vector and, where appropriate, the opportunity to modify their biology to better understand their ability to transmit pathogens.
The genetic modification of mosquitoes has been further developed at LSTM, taking inspiration from principles related to targeted drug design, “ReMOT Control” (Receptor-Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo) exploits proteins that are transferred into the ovary of insects. These proteins are harnessed to deliver desirable cargo to the developing ovary, thereby enabling genetic modification of the insect and avoiding the need to microinject the embryo to deliver these molecules. The 3.5 year funded BBSRC grant which brings together researchers from LSTM, the University of Liverpool and Cambridge University, to expand the tools compatible with ReMOT Control and develop a flexible and efficient toolkit for the genetic manipulation of insects.