Gene Splicing Technology

About

Researchers have now developed a novel robust gene silencing technology for insect vectors of disease.   Insect vector-borne diseases place a considerable burden on human health and the economies of developing nations and the 3 emerging Third World Powers of India, China and Brazil. Indeed, the incidence of these diseases is spreading in part due to global climate changes and resistance to conventional insecticides. Moreover, the prospects for vaccine development to combat many of these diseases are not encouraging. This new technology is a viable, cost-effective method of delivering RNAi (RNA interference) to populations of insect by infecting them with a bacterium that is a natural gut symbiont which expresses dsRNA targeting specific insect genes. The technology has been developed for the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus, the vector for Chagas disease, but is translatable to other disease vectors. While the technology holds great promise for disease control, it is also a powerful new tool for the study of gene function. A patent application is pending.