Production of Aedes albopictus strain genetically sterile (Diptera:Culicidae)

• Grant number: 15/00420-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Margareth de Lara Capurro-Guimarães
• Grantee: Samira Chuffi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

With the increasing number of cases of infection with arboviruses, for instance dengue and chikungunya, it is necessary to develop new techniques to combat these arboviruses. Genetic manipulation allowed the production of genetically modified mosquitoes that are capable of suppressing the wild population or prevent disease transmission. The project proposes to establish lines for population suppression of Aedes albopictus, transmitter of these diseases. This construction presents the conditional sterility presence or absence of antibiotics in the medium in which these mosquitoes are developed. Thus, without the need to use radiation for sterile insects, it is possible to improve the quality of the released males and enhance the competitiveness thereof in competing with wild females and still generate population suppression framework.