A malaria-free mosquito has been developed

NEWS CENTER

Created: July 26, 2025 12:18

Scientists have edited a single gene in a mosquito, eliminating its ability to transmit malaria, according to a study published in the journal Nature. Releasing these genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild could revolutionize the prevention of malaria, which kills an estimated 600,000 people every year.

Mosquitoes have developed resistance

There has been a lack of progress in recent years in combating mosquitoes, which transmit malaria to 263 million people each year. This is primarily because both mosquitoes and malaria parasites have become resistant to insecticides and some treatments.

Biologists from UC San Diego, Johns Hopkins, and UC Berkeley have found a solution to stop malaria transmission by changing a single amino acid. These genetically modified mosquitoes can carry the malaria parasite but are no longer able to transmit it to other people or animals.

Q224 INSTEAD OF L224 WITH CRISPR

Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, the researchers cut out the L224 amino acid, which causes malaria transmission in mosquitoes, and replaced it with a harmless version, Q224. L224 allows the parasites to reach the mosquito's salivary gland, while Q224 blocks this process.

"Our precise change in a single gene component created a powerful shield that can block multiple malaria parasite species and different mosquito populations. This opens the door to real-world solutions to combat the disease," said researcher George Dimopoulos of Johns Hopkins University.

Mosquitoes will be able to breed in nature

This gene change doesn't affect the mosquitoes' health or reproductive abilities. Thus, mosquitoes carrying the Q224 gene can spread this trait across generations, stopping malaria transmission. "We've turned mosquitoes into allies against malaria using nature's own genetic tools," Dimopoulos said.