2006-10-09 22:48:29 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, dengue and yellow fever are among the most serious threats to worldwide human health. Research in the Edwards lab is focused on the molecular interactions between mosquitoes and the pathogens that they transmit. The cell and molecular biology of mosquitoes has a direct impact on how well these insects can spread diseases that kill approximately two million people each year. One approach to investigating the interface between mosquitoes and pathogens is to experimentally express foreign genes in the mosquito after she takes a blood meal from an infected host. The protein-products of these genes can target specific molecules on the surface of the pathogen. Using transgenic methods, these genes can be transferred into the mosquito genome. Students in the Edwards lab are currently investigating molecular aspects of mosquito reproduction and LaCrosse encephalitis virus transmission. LaCrosse virus is unusual in that it can be propagated within mosquito populations through the eggs (transovarial transmission). Three days after a blood meal, the female mosquito lays about 150 eggs. Students are linking the ovary-specific promoters to a human gene (MxA) which shows extremely strong antiviral activity against LaCrosse virus. This construct will be inserted into the mosquito genome using the PiggyBac transposable element. When these transgenic mosquitoes take a blood meal, they are expected to interfere with the replication of the virus in their ovaries, which would block transovarial transmission.
2006-10-09 23:07:37 · answer #1 · answered by veerabhadrasarma m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The transmission of microorganisms between generations of hosts via the eggs (vertical transmission).
2006-10-10 05:51:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mother giving disease to offspring thru the ova
2006-10-10 15:53:40 · answer #3 · answered by ABHINAV P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋