MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF VECTORS IN RELATION TO MALARIA CONTROL

To a large extent, control of malaria vectors relies on the eliminatio n of breeding sites and the application of chemical agents. There are increasing problems associated with the use of synthetic insecticides for vector control, including the evolution of resistance, the high co st of developing and registering new insecticides and an awareness of pollution from insecticide residues. These factors have stimulated int erest in the application of molecular biology to the study of mosquito vectors of malaria; focussing primarily on two aspects. First, the im provement of existing control measures through the development of simp lified DNA probe systems suitable for identification of vectors of mal aria. The development of synthetic, non-radioactive DNA probes suitabl e for the identification of species in the Anopheles gambiae complex i s described with the aim of defining a simplified methodology which is suitable for entomologist in the field. The second aspect to be consi dered is the development of completely novel strategies through the ge netic manipulation of insect vectors of malaria in order to alter thei r ability to transmit the disease. The major requirements for producin g transgenic mosquitoes are outlined together with the progress which has been made to date and discussed in relation to the prospects which this type of approach has for the future control of malaria.