Friday, November 14, 2014

Patent Awarded for Genetics-Based Nanotechnology Against Mosquitoes

            The Mosquito (Culiseta longiareolata) is arguably the most annoying insect humans interact with on a regular basis. During the mild weather of spring and the sweltering heat of summer, mosquitos swarm their victims in droves, surreptitiously sucking blood from a choice of several animal species. In addition to this grievance, mosquitos are primary carriers of HIV, Malaria and West Nile virus in the Eastern hemisphere. However, these petty creatures may no longer pose such a significant threat to overall health and quality of life in the near future.
            Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a method of keeping mosquitos and even other annoying insects at bay from their victims. It is United States patent number 8,841,272, formally called "Double-stranded RNA Based Nanoparticles for Insect Gene Silencing." This technique uses genetics-based technology to kill these insects with minimal repercussions, especially upon juxtaposing alternative methods such as using pesticides that have detrimental effects on the environment. Kun Yan Zhu, professor of entomology and Xin Zhang, a research associate in the Division of Biology, developed the technology. They said it utilizes nanoparticles comprised of a non-toxic, biodegradable polymer matrix and insect derived double-stranded ribonucleic acid, or dsRNA. The purpose of this process would be to interfere with RNA interference, or RNAi, to destroy the genetic code of an insect in a specific DNA sequence.


            This technology could be the near perfect solution for the inundation of these types of insects, particularly in Africa. Once ingested the nanoparticles act as a "Trojan horse," releasing loosely bound dsRNA into the insect gut. This subsequently triggers a genetic chain reaction, thus destroying messenger RNA and killing the insect. If these studies ultimately come to fruition, this method of killing insects could save hundreds of thousands of lives per year. 





1 comment:


  1. This blog post caught my eye because I used to work at Mosquito Control in Cape May! This blog post is about the innovative approach to mosquito control using double-stranded RNA-based nanoparticles is truly exciting. The technology developed by the researchers at Kansa State University presents a promising alternative to traditional pesticides, which are often harmful to the environment. By targeting specific genetic sequences in mosquitoes, this method ensures that only the intended species are affected, potentially reducing the spread of diseases such as Malaria and West Nile virus without negatively impacting other wildlife. It’s encouraging to see advancements in biotechnology being applied in ways that could improve public health on a global scale. Moreover, I think the biodegradable nature of the nanoparticles used in this approach is a commendable step towards environmentally conscious scientific practices.

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