Molecular entomology and prospects for malaria control

During the past decade, the techniques of molecular and cell biology have b een embraced by many scientists doing research on anopheline vectors of mal aria parasites. Some of the most important research advances in molecular e ntomology have concerned the development of sophisticated molecular tools f or procedures such as genetic and physical mapping and germ line transforma tion. Major advances have also been made in the study of specific biologica l processes such as insect defence against pathogens and the manner in whic h malaria parasites and their anopheline hosts interact during sporogony. O ne of the most important highlights of this research trend has been the eme rgence during the past year of a forma International Anopheles gambiae geno me project, which at present includes investigators in several laboratories in Europe and the USA. Although much of this molecular research is directe d towards the development of malaria control strategies that are probably m any years from implementation, there are some important areas of molecular entomology that may have a more near-term impact on malaria control. We hig hlight developments over the past decade in three such areas that we believ e can make important contributions to the development of near-term malaria control strategies. These areas are anopheline species identification, the detection and monitoring of insecticide susceptibility/resistance in wild a nopheline populations and the determination of the generic structure of ano pheline populations.