Developing genetic sexing for mosquito vector control in Aedes species

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Marc F. Schetelig
• Subject Area: Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology (Zoology) ; General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491548882

The spread of invasive mosquitoes, such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, is a significant public health problem of global proportions. These mosquitoes are primary vectors of arboviral diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, among others. Chemical-based control methods and integrated pest management have become increasingly ineffective due to the spread of insecticide resistance. This collaborative project aims to establish a novel approach for constructing genetic sexing strains using engineered temperature-sensitive lethal alleles, thereby enabling area-wide and species-specific genetic vector control for these mosquito species. The construction of these genetic sexing strains is made possible now by our recent discovery that a tRNA ligase is the genetic basis of the temperature-sensitive lethal (tsl) mutation of the highly successful genetic sexing strains of Mediterranean fruit fly. We have also now tested and established methods to convert female mosquitoes into fertile males using autosomal transgenes, containing the male-determining gene nix. Over the next three years we aim use this knowledge to develop tsl sexing strains in Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti. We will first generate tsl mutant strains and test them for conditional temperature-sensitive lethality during development. Transgenic rescue of tsl and its combination with sex conversion will then be evaluated for its potential suitability as a robust sexing system for separating male and female larvae in both species. Building on our fruitful collaborative approach and track record, the proposed work is divided at the mosquito species level between the two labs of Justus Liebig University in Giessen and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Rehovot. It will support the continued development of innovative research and methods for mosquito genetics and insect genetic control.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• International Co-Applicant: Professor Philippos Papathanos, Ph.D.