| Grant number: | 12/19117-2 |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| Start date: | May 01, 2013 |
| End date: | April 30, 2016 |
| Field of knowledge: | Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology |
| Principal Investigator: | Mauro Toledo Marrelli |
| Grantee: | André Barretto Bruno Wilke |
| Host Institution: | Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract Mosquitoes of the Culex genus have great epidemiological importance, are virtually nationwide and have the ability to survive in highly polluted waters reaching very high densities. Traditional control strategies have become ineffective and with high environmental impact.Considerable efforts have been devoted successfully to genetic transformation of various species of mosquitoes such as: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes fluviatilis, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensi. Mosquitoes of the Culex genus, however, have been transformed only once, a decade ago, despite the efforts of several laboratories. Due to this inherent difficulty other forms of control should be considered, such as Paratransgenesis. In this method, a symbiotic bacteria naturally present in mosquitoes might be used as vectors for gene introduction, obtaining similar results as mosquitoes transformation, but with no additional cost fitness.The bacterial design to be utilized in Paratransgenesis requires three key components: (1) effector molecule, (2) excretory mechanism (3) bacteria competency to colonize the mosquito. It is desirable that the bacteria used are capable of colonizing a variety of mosquito species, allowing its use in different isolates and species.By this approach, symbiotic bacteria would be transformed to produce effector molecules and then, reintroduced into the mosquito causing the intended effect.For this strategy to succeed, it needs a better understanding and comprehension of the community microbial structure in the gut of mosquitoes.This study has the following objectives: (1) Identification of bacteria present in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes (2) Bacteria ability to be reintroduced into the mosquito, (3) Identification of effector molecules for use in Culex quinquefasciatus and (4) Potential bacteria to Paratransgenesis. (AU) | |
| News published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the scholarship: | |
| More itemsLess items | |
| TITULO | |
| Articles published in other media outlets ( ): | |
| More itemsLess items | |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) | |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) | |