Current thoughts about the integration of field and laboratory sciences in genetic control of disease vectors

Abstract

Realizing the full potential of genetic control of vectors for disease prevention will require development of a research agenda that captures the willingness of people with diverse expertise to work together toward constructive and substantive goals. Below I review the five ecological and population biology topics that are central to contemporary genetic vector-control programmes and present opportunities of collaboration between people engaged in primarily laboratory- versus field-based research activities: (1) spread and stability of introduced genes; (2) evolutionary consequences of mosquito transformation; (3) entomological risk, pathogen transmission and disease severity; (4) quantitative analyses of mosquito biology, disease and genetically modified mosquito (GMM) control; and (5) procedural issues. I point out opportunities for greater, mutually beneficial interaction between laboratory- and field-based scientists. I draw four general conclusions from this analysis. First, an improved understanding of ecological topics associated with GMMs will provide the conceptual and factual foundation for application of genetic-control technology. Second, four topics that should be considered research priorities are male biology, mating behaviour, colonization and mass-production effects, and population biology. Third, in addition to greater collaboration between ecologists and molecular geneticists, genetic-control programmes will require recruitment of expertise from outside the vector-borne disease arena, greater involvement by scientists from diseaseendemic countries (DECs), training for young scientists, adequate funding, and a sustained effort. Fourth, collaboration will be a central component of the legacy and success of genetic control for vector-borne disease prevention