Objective
In this project I aim to generate the first synthetic species of mosquitoes derived from Anopheles gambiae, the main vector of malaria, and also from Aedes albopictus, a vector of several viral diseases, that has recently invaded Europe. The experimental generation of artificial species will prove invaluable to shed light on major biological questions concerning reproductive isolation. Furthermore, I propose a novel strategy to reduce the incidence of disease transmitted by these vectors based on the release of synthetic strains. Mathematical modelling indicates this to be a highly effective way to simultaneously suppress and replace a wild disease transmitting vector population with disease-refractory insects.
In Objective 1, I will identify genes that constitute the natural reproductive barriers in mosquitoes by analyzing the genetic makeup of progeny arising from crosses of related mosquito species. Such genes can be drawn upon for the construction of artificial barriers and help to reveal the mechanisms underlying speciation in mosquitoes.
In Objective 2, I will introduce, into the mosquito genome, artificial reproductive barriers that cause post-zygotic lethality in hybrids but that will not otherwise affect the mating propensity of parent and synthetic species. I propose a generalizable approach for the construction of artificial species barriers utilizing synthetic transcriptional activators.
In Objective 3, synthetic strains will be transformed with genes that interfere with the replication of malaria or viral pathogens and their transmission to humans and tested in cage experiments to validate their efficacy for vector control.
To carry out these experimental activities I will utilize cutting-edge next generation genetic mapping and site-specific genome-editing technologies. Knowledge arising from the development of synthetic mosquito strains will be applicable to beneficial species with a range of applications in biosafety, agriculture and biotechnology.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases malaria
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology invertebrate zoology
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2013-StG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
SW7 2AZ LONDON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.