Mosquito gene discovery by Pirbright scientists could be harnessed to curb global malaria spread
A new gene that determines the sex of malaria mosquitoes has been discovered by scientists at The Pirbright Institute. The gene, named femaleless by the researchers, can be manipulated to prevent female mosquitoes from developing (only females bite to feed on blood and spread disease), which could provide a new means for genetic control of mosquito populations that could be used to break malaria transmission.