Project Title: Population biology and genomics studies on Anopheles funestus in Tanzania
Project Description: This grant will continue research on the biology and population genetics of the dominant malaria vector, Anopheles funestus, to make this species more tractable for genetic control. This will include a series of studies on determinants on An. funestus survival (dispersal, blood-feeding habits and plasticity, larval ecology in relation to overall fitness of emergent adults). These studies will inform ongoing efforts to colonize the local Tanzanian strain of An. funestus (FUTAZ). The team will utilize... This grant will continue research on the biology and population genetics of the dominant malaria vector, Anopheles funestus, to make this species more tractable for genetic control. This will include a series of studies on determinants on An. funestus survival (dispersal, blood-feeding habits and plasticity, larval ecology in relation to overall fitness of emergent adults). These studies will inform ongoing efforts to colonize the local Tanzanian strain of An. funestus (FUTAZ). The team will utilize outcrossing with an established South African strain, as well as progressive adaptation to captivity via a semi field system, where factors influencing mating and larval survival can be more easily controlled. Because An. funestus is a species complex that has not been fully characterized, they will also measure barriers to gene flow and evaluate the diversity of sibling species in Tanzania, as colonization efforts will need to focus on the most important sibling species. Finally, it is hypothesized th An. funestus is responsible for the majority of malaria transmission in several parts of Tanzania. The team will evaluate the hypothesis via indoor and outdoor mosquito collections and determination of sporozoite rates, and via a demonstration project on the impact of transiently crashing the local An. funestus population via targeted application of the current vector control interventions.
Principal Investigator : Fredros Okumu
Department Name :
Time frame: (2020-02-25) - (2024-03-31)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) (Normal)
External Collaborating Partners
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