Researchers from Target Malaria, a research consortium based at Imperial College London, have unveiled promising results in the fight against malaria.
Published in Nature Communications, their latest study, “The potential of gene drives in malaria vector species to control malaria in African environments”, demonstrates the potential of gene drive technology to significantly reduce malaria cases in West Africa.
The study, conducted by Target Malaria’s UK modelling team, utilized advanced mathematical models to explore the epidemiological impact of gene drive mosquitoes.
The research, led by Dr. Ace North from the University of Oxford, incorporated data from 16 locations across 13 malaria-endemic countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Factors such as local climate, mosquito species, malaria prevalence, and current interventions—such as vaccines and bed nets—were included in the analysis.
“We simulated gene drive releases in various West African locations to assess their potential to reduce malaria prevalence in diverse environments,” said Dr. North.
The study projects that gene drive technology could reduce mosquito populations by 71.6%–98.4%, resulting in substantial decreases in malaria incidence. When combined with existing tools such as RTS,S vaccines and pyrethroid-PBO bed nets, the inclusion of gene drives could avert at least 60% more clinical malaria cases compared to using these interventions alone.
The findings emphasize the need for gene drives to target multiple mosquito species, particularly the four major malaria vectors in West Africa: Anopheles gambiae, An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, and An. funestus.
“This novel approach models both entomological and epidemiological processes, providing a comprehensive evaluation of gene drive interventions alongside traditional measures,” said co-author Dr. Penny Hancock, a biostatistician at Imperial College London and the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis.
Gene drive technology offers a self-sustaining and cost-effective solution, making it particularly beneficial for rural and remote areas where malaria remains endemic.
A single release of gene drive mosquitoes could result in a 72%-92% suppression of target mosquito populations in affected areas. However, the species would not be permanently eradicated but significantly reduced, aiding disease control efforts.
The study highlights the complementary nature of genetic tools like gene drives alongside conventional malaria interventions. The technology addresses limitations in current methods, offering a long-term, cost-effective solution for malaria control.
The researchers also identified areas for further investigation, emphasizing the need for field studies to refine gene drive technologies and adapt them to specific local conditions.
Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research consortium focused on developing innovative genetic technologies to combat malaria. Their goal is to contribute to a world free of malaria through responsible research and development.