Malaria is an infectious disease which is caused by a parasite
Malaria is an infectious disease which is caused by a parasite, and it is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Usually, individuals contract Malaria from the Culex or Anopheles mosquitoes, which are the vectors of the disease. Malaria is a difficult disease to control primarily due to the nature of the vector as well as parasites which are highly adaptable. While various tools and methods have been developed to deal with the disease, they become ineffective since the mosquitoes and parasites evolve ways to circumvent the tools if applied in isolation. New research from entomologists at UC Davis has developed a potential hindrance to the use of CRISP-Cas9 “gene drive” technology to offer a new way of controlling Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, Zika, and yellow fever. The UC Davis team has the task of developing an effective strategy to move the GEM from the laboratory to various contained fields, especially in Africa, where malaria is widespread. The research was provided by the UC Irvine Malaria Initiative as well as the CDC and NH.
The research entails various key findings. It aims to generate genetically engineered mosquitoes (GEM) that cannot reproduce, thus inhibiting the population of mosquitoes. Also, the research will develop mosquitoes that resist carrying parasites and viruses which cause related diseases. The GEM will be developed in a lab and then allowed to interbreed with the wild mosquitoes. The gene drive technological method will entail the application of the Cas 9 enzyme, which the researchers will use to ensure that the modified genes will be inherited by the offspring while wild and GEM mate. In this research, the researchers will recognize a 23-base stretch of DNA in mosquitoes. Mosquito genomes carry a lot of DNA sequence variation, which will be involved in developing the gene drive.
Malaria has a considerable impact on the health of young women, infants as well as pregnant women across the world. Thus, if the application of this research is successful, it may lead to some consequences and applications among individuals and society. For example, it will enable the control of Malaria and the other involved diseases. Consequently, the deaths and effects that are as a result of mosquito-borne diseases will be inhibited. Individuals will be able to lead normal and healthier lives without the threat of Malaria, yellow fever, and Dengue fever, among others.
Also, the society will be impacted as the efforts and resources used in combating the diseases will be channeled to other courses. For example, the focus will be put on other societal projects which are of benefit to society. Ultimately, both the individuals and society will be free of disease-causing mosquitoes leading to healthier and happier lives.
The new development and research related to biology in my current course, especially within the topic of genetics. Genetics in Biology is a field that studies how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. It entails heredity whereby DNA is replicated as well as passed to offspring from the parents. Also, this research relates to the fields of health and medicine, as well. Through the insight learned in my current course, I will be able to get a further understanding of new research development s in Biology, medicine, and health.