To establish that sera raised against mosquito midgut can interfere with normal mosquito biology. To demonstrate that anti-mosquito antibody at physiological titres can adversely affect vector longevity and fertility. To demonstrate that anti-mosquito antibody at physiological titres can reduce malaria transmission.
Expected Outcome

Promising antigen preparations, and resulting sera and MABs will be subjected to intense screening at all sites, and to more detailed characterization at the molecular level. Studies will include colony and wild-caught mosquitoes.
* New colonies of mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae ss and Anopheles tessellatus, will be established at two sites. These and established colonies will be used as the sources of new antigen preparations from midgut-derived tissues. Screening of some 200-300 monoclonal antibodies (MABs) directed against An. stephensi tissues will be initiated early in the project, and continued throughout.

* Newly derived sera, previously characterized sera and MAbs will be screened by a standardized approach for anti-mosquito (fecundity and longevity) activity, and for their effects on transmission of human and malarial parasites. Sera and MAbs will be characterized by IFA and Western blot.

* Promising antigen preparations will be further refined for detailed study, including production of new MAbs. Mosquito cDNA libraries will be prepared and screened in preparation for production of recombinant antigen. Preliminary sequencing of identified antigen cDNA may be undertaken.

* Promising antigen preparations, and resulting sera and MABs will be subjected to intense screening at all sites, and to more detailed characterization at the molecular level. Studies will include colony and wild-caught mosquitoes.