Wolbachia Genes

About

Technology This technology is a transgenic method of controlling arthropod pest and disease vectors such as mosquito populations, by manipulating reproductive viability. Some strains of the intracellular Wolbachia bacterium found naturally in some arthropods can been used to control pest populations by altering reproductive success. The presence of this bacterium in males can lead to the death of offspring, when these males mate with uninfected females. Two of the genes in the Wolbachia bacterium which induce this loss of offspring viability have been identified. Our data reveals that these genes can be directly expressed in arthropods to have a similar effect in the absence of the bacterium.  This technology can  be used to transgenically target and reduce arthropod populations. Problems addressed With the increased frequency of mosquito borne illness outbreaks, including zika and dengue viruses, rapid methods are needed to reduce viral spread. Reducing mosquito populations is highly effective and traditionally done by pesticides which can be  toxic to plants and mammals including humans. The use of Wolbachia bacterium has been previously used commercially. However, these technologies are limited by the need to infect these anthrobods with live bacteria. Additionally, one company is currently experimenting with male transgenic mosquitos which die after 4 days and have lethal offspring in the absence of a drug. We have identified a method of mimicking the effect of Wolbachia directly in the mosquito.  These genes do not limit survival of the transgenic mosquito, but reduce the prevalence of the disease transmitting female mosquitos through reproductive failure.