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[SANET-MG] synthetic genes to eradicate malaria
Anti Malaria Mosquitoes: The new transgenic mosquito is interesting and
may prove valuable in malaria eradication. However, the transgenic
mosquito and the synthetic gene and synthetic peptide that it produces
will have to be tested to insure that it is not a toxin for humans and
for wild an domestic animals.The peptides bind to the guts of the
mosquitoes preventing the malaria parasite from infecting the mosquito.
The synthetic peptide produced by the mosquito may be injected into the
human or animals that the mosquito feeds on. A number of 12 amino acid
peptide toxins somewhat similar the the synthetic peptide produced by
the mosquito are known. There is no report available showing that the
peptide of the mosquito has been tested for its safety in humans and
animals .Once those safety tests are concluded the transgenic animals
may be released to the environment in test areas but the mosquitoes
should not be released until the tests are completed.
The synthetic peptides were screened using a bacteria phage display,
from this active peptide was identified. A synthetic gene specifying the
peptide was constructed then joined to a PiggyBac transponson along
with a gut specific promoter from the mosquito. The transposon was used
to transform the malaria mosquito . The transposon for transformation
was inactivated so that it could no longer be transfered to other
insects or to insect viruses. However, the insect viruses could
re-capture the synthetic peptide and spread it to other insects. This
may not be a disaster so long as the synthetic peptide is proved to be
safe for exposing humans and animals.
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