Targeting the reproductive interactome of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

描述（由申请人提供）：疟疾是一种毁灭性的传染病，每年导致非洲近100万人死亡，其中大多数是孕妇和幼儿。2010年，有2亿人感染疟疾，33亿人面临感染风险。这是世界人口的一半。疟疾是由受感染的按蚊叮咬传播的。在缺乏有效疟疾疫苗的情况下，通过使用杀虫剂对蚊子媒介进行化学控制仍然是防治疟疾传播的最佳武器。然而，蚊子对杀虫剂的耐药性正在上升，迫切需要新的方法来控制蚊子的数量。冈比亚按蚊是最有效的疟疾媒介，部分原因是其高繁殖率维持了较高的种群密度。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Malaria is a devastating infectious disease that kills almost a million people each year, mostly pregnant women and young children in Africa. In 2010 there were 200 million people infected with malaria, and 3.3 billion people were at risk of infection. This is half of the world population. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. In the absence of an effective malaria vaccine, chemical control of the mosquito vector through the use of insecticides remains the best weapon to fight malaria transmission. Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes is however on the rise, and novel methods to control mosquito populations are urgently needed. Anopheles gambiae are the most effective malaria vectors, in part due to a high reproductive rate that maintains large population densities. One of the most promising novel opportunities for vector control is reducing the reproductive output of these mosquitoes by introducing genetic sterility in natural populations. Using molecular, genetic and genomics tools, the "Targeting the reproductive interactome of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae" project will expand our fundamental understanding of the reproductive biology and physiology of An. gambiae. The project will identify genes and pathways regulating fertility and post-copulatory processes that shape the mosquito reproductive ability. The knowledge generated in this project will contribute to new methods of mosquito control, and eventually to a healthier populace in regions now devastated by malaria.